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Published: Monday, 1/12/2015

BY TOM TROY BLADE POLITICS WRITER

COLUMBUS -- Auglaize County businessman James Dicke today defeated a Tea Party opponent for the position of Republican National Committeeman vacated by the death of former state GOP Chairman Bob Bennett, in a vote of the Ohio Republican state central committee.

And state party Chairman Matt Borges was elected a second two-year term with no opposition.

The state central committee is made up of 66 people - one woman and one man from each state Senate district, elected by local registered Republicans. The committee met at the Westin Columbus hotel just after the ceremonial swearing-in of Republican Gov. John Kasich. About 46 were present in person and a handful voted by telephone.

Mr. Dicke, 69, of New Bremen, is chairman and chief executive officer of Crown Equipment Corp., and is a major contributor to the Republican Party.

His opponent, Gary Burkholder of Licking County, was backed by Tea Party Republicans.

James Horton, a state committeeman from Delta, nominated Mr. Burkholder, but said he has confidence in Mr. Dicke as well.

"He was very kind. He is an extremely accomplished individual and I feel he should do a very good job," Mr. Horton said.

Mr. Dicke said, "I don't think there is any more conservative county in Ohio than Auglaize. We were Tea Party before there was a Tea Party."

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Borges re-elected to lead Ohio GOP