Matt Lynch Appointed to Represent Ohio 98th House District

Matt Lynch of Bainbridge has been appointed to the Ohio House 98th District seat.

The announcement was made by Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder, who said Lynch would be a great addition.

"He had a proven track record at the local level of cutting taxes and limiting government spending. Lynch's vision will certainly be an asset in the House as we continue our mission to make government more efficient and restore fairness to Ohio taxpayers," Batchelder said.

Lynch had practiced law for more than 30 years with his family law firm and was elected to the Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees in 2007.

Mary Brigid Matheney had been temporarily appointed to the position in February to fill the vacancy created when Richard Hollington became mayor of Hunting Valley. It was announced at that time that the seat would eventually go to the winner of the 76th District Republican primary, which Lynch won with 55 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race.

The 98th district includes all of Geauga County as well as , , and portions of . When district boundaries change in 2013, the 76th District include Geauga County, but will not cover Gates Mills, Highland Heights, Mayfield Village or Mayfield Heights.

In 2013, Gates Mills, Highland Heights and Mayfield Village will be part of the 6th House District. Candidates for that seat are Democrat Anthony Fossaceca and Republican Marlene Anielski.

Mayfield Heights will be part of the 12th District. Democrat John E. Barnes Jr. is the only candidate to have filed petitions for that seat.