By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County’s state legislators have been bestowed with a few of the 2019 “Sloopys” – the annual awards for Ohio politics and government from the Capitol Letter.
One local legislator was voted the nicest. The other was proclaimed the most arrogant.
Readers of the Capitol Letter, a statehouse newsletter, were asked to vote on their favorites in more than 30 categories, from the best statehouse staffers to the most power-hungry lawmakers.
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, took home the top award in three categories – Nicest, best use of social media, and being the top rising star in the Republican party. She also got runner-up for best dressed.
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, earned the award as the most arrogant lawmaker. He also came in as runner-up for being a rising star in the Republican party.
Gavarone was pleased with her recognition.
“I was pretty excited,” she said this morning. “At least people are looking at some of the work I’m doing.”
As for the “nicest” award, Gavarone said that just comes naturally to her.
“I went into this job saying I was just going to be myself,” she said. “That put a smile on my face this morning.”
Gavarone said she works hard to make the most of social media to reach her constituents.
“Social media is just a really great way to let people know what you’re working on,” she said.
The “rising star” ranking, Gavarone said, doesn’t put pressure on her, but means that people see the value in her legislative efforts for issues like mental health and child support.
“I’m happy that someone is recognizing my work,” she said.
As for her runner-up ranking for best dressed, Gavarone said she makes an effort to wear skirts and dresses when in Columbus. She credited her two daughters with helping her make fashionable choices.
“It’s not like I have a huge wardrobe, but I mix and match,” she said.
Ghanbari did not return phone calls to his office and his cell phone about his award.
Here are the nominees and winners in every category.
Best Legislative Orator
House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz
Runners-up: Emilia Sykes, John Eklund, Larry Householder, Niraj Antani
Biggest Windbag
State Rep. Niraj Antani
Runners-up: Derek Merrin, Bill Seitz, Kent Smith, Mike Skindell
Biggest Self-Promoter
Niraj Antani
Runners-up: Jon Husted, Frank LaRose, Jena Powell, Juanita Brent, Jon Cross
Most Humble Politician
State Rep. Bob Cupp
Runners-up: John Patterson, Scott Oelslager, Randi Clites, Don Jones, Jim Butler
Best-dressed
House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes
Runners-up: Theresa Gavarone, Terrence Upchurch, Susan Manchester, John Eklund
Worst-dressed
Niraj Antani
Runners-up: John Becker, Scott Lipps, Brigid Kelly, Doug Green
Funniest
State Rep. Jack Cera
Runners-up: Bill Seitz, Shane Wilkin, Scott Lipps, John Eklund
Biggest Policy Nerd
State Rep. Bob Cupp
Runners-up: Larry Obhof, Brett Hillyer, John Rogers, Jim Butler
Least Savvy Lawmaker
State Rep. Derek Merrin
Runners-up: Candice Keller, Allison Russo, Tina Maharath, Niraj Antani
Nicest Lawmaker
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone
Runners-up: Dick Stein, Hearcel Craig, John Patterson, Gayle Manning
Most Arrogant Lawmaker
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari
Runners-up: Niraj Antani, Jay Edwards, Derek Merrin, Larry Householder, Jon Cross, Bill Seitz
Lobbyists’ Best Friend
House Speaker Larry Householder
Runners-up: Paul Zeltwanger, Jon Cross, Bill Seitz, Jay Edwards, Shane Wilkin
Most Power-Hungry Lawmaker
Larry Householder
Runners-up: Matt Huffman, Niraj Antani, Jon Husted (former lawmaker, now lieutenant governor), Jay Edwards
Best Use of Social Media
Theresa Gavarone
Runners-up: Susan Manchester, Juanita Brent, Jay Edwards, Niraj Antani, Jon Cross
Worst Use of Social Media
State Rep. Candice Keller.
Runners-up: John Becker, Andrew Brenner, Juanita Brent, Kent Smith
Least Tech-Literate Lawmaker
State Rep. Diane Grendell
Runners-up: Bill Seitz, Bill Dean, Bill Coley
Most Bipartisan Republican
State Sen. Stephanie Kunze
Runners-up: Peggy Lehner, Rick Carfagna, Dave Greenspan, Larry Householder, Kris Jordan
Most Bipartisan Democrat
State Sen. Sean O’Brien
Runners-up: Bride Rose Sweeney, Jack Cera, John Patterson, John Rogers
Republican Rising Star
Theresa Gavarone
Runners-up: Brett Hillyer, Susan Manchester, Haraz Ghanbari, Jena Powell
Hardest Working Lobbyist
John Van Doorn, director of government affairs, Ohio Association for Justice
Runners-up: Adam Hewitt, Matt Whitehead, Victor Hipsley, Bill Byers and Michelle Fitzgibbon
Most Effective Lobbyist
John Van Doorn
Runners-up: Neil Clark, McKenzie Davis, Bill Byers, Jake Evans
Best Capitol Square Restaurant
Victory’s
Runners-up: Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Condado, Broad Street Bagels & Deli, Si Señor
Most Popular Bar for Ohio Democrats
Jimmy V’s Grill & Pub
Runners-up: Dempsey’s Food and Spirits, Club 185, Tony’s, High Beck
Most Popular Bar for Ohio Republicans
Jimmy V’s Grill & Pub
Runners-up: The Athletic Club of Columbus, Pins Mechanical Company, Plank’s Café & Pizzeria, High Beck
Best House Republican Staffer
Lauren Reid, policy adviser for the Ohio House Republicans
Runners-up: George Christy, Heather Blessing, Katie Caprez, Matt McAuliffe, Drew Cooper
Best House Democratic Staffer
Andy DiPalma, deputy chief of staff for the Ohio House Democrats
Runners-up: Kelly Harrop, Moriah Lieberman, Stephen Harris, Nick Muccio, Kelsey Woolard
Best Senate Republican Staffer
Stephanie Kaylor, former senior legislative aide for state Sen. Bob Hackett. Kaylor died Dec. 4 after a long battle with cancer.
Runners-up: Liz Connolly, Allison Lawlor, Goran Babic, Erin Froehlich, John Fortney
Best Senate Democratic Staffer
Nate Shipman, senior legislative aide to state Sen. Sean O’Brien
Runners-up: Maggie Simmons, George Boas, Colin Marozzi, Taylor Phillips, Kelly Kefauver
Best Executive Office Staffer
Dan McCarthy, director of legislative affairs for Gov. Mike DeWine
Runners-up: Ciara Price, Giles Allen, Brad Bates, Maggie Sheehan, Emma Cardone
Best Communications Person
Faith Oltman, Ohio Senate Democrats’ communications director
Runners-up: Pete Shipley, Josh Eck, Maggie Sheehan, Rachel Hoynes
Best Statehouse Reporter
Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch. Siegel died in June at age 46.
