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WHEELING - The Ohio County Republican Party now has new leadership as the 2024 election year begins.
Members of the OC GOP Executive Committee Monday night elected member Greg Smith to be their new chair.
The move came after some committee members met with past chair Carlee Dittmar on Friday, and she resigned the post over the weekend. Dittmar, a current candidate for Wheeling City Council in Ward 2, could not be reached for additional comment on Tuesday.
Smith said committee member Robert Luchetti chaired Monday's meeting, during which nominations for a new chair were solicited. Smith said he was the only nominee.
Smith currently serves as the Republican ballot commissioner in Ohio County, and he said he will continue in this role at least through the primary election.
He has been a member of the county GOP executive committee since 2010, as has his wife, Debi Smith.
Smith is an engineer who worked in the container industry. He presently is self-employed and manages rental properties.
After assuming the chairman's position, Smith was required to give up his elected seat representing the 2nd magisterial district on the committee.
The board now has four openings, and is seeking two female members in District 1, and now both a male and a female in District 2.
Those interested in serving in these positions should contact Smith at 304-830-3651.
Smith acknowledges there are also some GOP vacancies on the primary ballot that need to be addressed.
"We just need to move forward, and look at recruiting conservative candidates," he said. "Once we get all the candidates filed, we will look toward publicity and hold a meet and greet. People can ask them questions, and learn their views on the issues.
"I have to put together some of my thoughts on how we move forward, get more people involved and get them to vote for conservatives," he added.
Smith's first duty will be to attend the state GOP's winter conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Charleston this weekend.
All 55 county chairs have been invited to attend an informational meeting Saturday morning. In the afternoon, all the State Executive Committee members will convene to elect a new state chair to succeed Elgine McArdle of Wheeling, who announced her resignation last week.
McArdle described Smith as "very diplomatic, amiable, friendly, easy to approach, organized and trustworthy."
"I think the party is in good hands, and I think he will be able to move the party forward," she said.
"The advice I give new chairs is that this is an important election cycle. Recruit candidates, fill the ballot and go to work for them. This is the year to do it," McArdle added.