Hotline On Call

Republican county chairs in Ohio's 14th Congressional District have selected Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce to be the GOP's general election nominee. The party was forced to fill the empty slot on the ballot left by Rep. Steven LaTourette, who decided last month that he would retire and not seek reelection.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Joyce's nomination was unanimous and that he has a close relationship with LaTourette, who was himself a county prosecutor before he joined the House of Representatives. Joyce now becomes a general election favorite without ever having a ballot cast for him for Congress. Though the district doesn't lean very Republican at the presidential level, the Democratic nominee -- multiple-cycle LaTourette opponent Dale Blanchard -- is unviable, so much so that local Democratic leaders tried to push him out when LaTourette retired and it became clear the seat might become a pickup opportunity.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions released a statement praising Joyce on Friday afternoon. "I congratulate David Joyce on his nomination and know he will be a great addition to the 113th Congress," Sessions said. "As a prosecuting attorney, David Joyce has worked on the toughest cases in Geauga County to ensure the safety of his community. It is that tireless effort to do what is best for his community and preserve the free enterprise system that will serve him well in Congress."