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Two-year township trustee sets sights on higher office
(by Joan Demirjian - January 07, 2010)
Two-year township trustee sets sights on higher office
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Bainbridge Township Trustee Matthew Lynch announced Monday that he plans to file as a candidate in the May 4 primary for state representative in the 98th District.
Mr. Lynch said he will run as a Republican on the primary ballot. The district includes Geauga County and portions of Cuyahoga County.
Incumbent state Rep. Matt Dolan, R-Russell, has announced that he will not seek another term and is moving from the district. He is serving his third two-year term, which runs through the end of 2010.
Mr. Lynch commended Mr. Dolan for his "years of dedication to Geauga County and for his emphasis on fiscal responsibility.
"It's an opportunity for me to bring my philosophy of smaller government and fiscal responsibility to Columbus to help the people of Geauga County," Mr. Lynch said. "More government is not the solution, it's the problem," he said.
Mr. Lynch has lived in Bainbridge 22 years and has served as a township trustee for two years. He and his wife, Laura, have five children.
If successful in the primary and general election, he would take office in January 2011. He would leave the office of trustee one year before his four-year term is up.
As a trustee, Mr. Lynch initiated the township's Heritage Park project, which is to include a veterans memorial and a gazebo on the former site of the Bainbridge School. He said it will serve as a central gathering place for community events.
Mr. Lynch has worked on the first township policy discouraging employees from retiring and being rehired. He has developed a plan to use inheritance-tax receipts to pay for capital improvements.
He would represent the people of the 98th District as a strong advocate for "lower taxes, lower spending and limited government," he said. "I believe my conservative values reflect those of our district, and I plan to be a strong voice in Columbus for limited government and lower taxes," Mr. Lynch said.
"My time as a township trustee has shown me the importance of holding onto strong principles while serving the public," he said. "While it is bittersweet knowing that I may be leaving my position as Bainbridge trustee, I am convinced that I will be able to do more for the citizens of Bainbridge and the entire area as a state representative than I ever could as a trustee."
He said he plans to travel throughout the district "listening to the voices of the citizens."
Mr. Lynch's brother David Lynch served as mayor of Euclid from 1988 through 1995. His brother James Lynch works in the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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