HISTORY OF THE FCGOP

Origins & Early Context

• The Franklin County GOP, like county Republican organizations across Ohio, grew out of the broader Ohio Republican Party, which was founded in Columbus in 1854 as the Ohio affiliate of the national Republican Party.  
• In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Republicans dominated Franklin County and central Ohio politics. From 1896 to 1992, Franklin County voted Republican in nearly every presidential election, reflecting its strong party organization and conservative bent at the time.  

Structure & Organization

• The Franklin County GOP functions as the county-level central committee of the Republican Party in Franklin County (Columbus area).
  
  • It is governed by a Central Committee and an Executive Committee, with locally elected members and officers who help direct party activities, endorsements, fundraising, and grassroots outreach.  
  • Today, the party’s headquarters is at 1561 Old Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219.  
• Like other Ohio county GOP organizations, its committee members are elected by Republican voters in primary elections and are responsible for organizing local campaigns and representing county interests at the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee.  

Mid-20th Century to Recent Decades

• Historically, the Republican Party in Franklin County held many local offices and dominated county-level politics in the early to mid-20th century before broader demographic and political shifts.  
• Over time, especially from the 1990s onward, Franklin County became increasingly competitive — and eventually shifted toward the Democratic Party in many local and national elections.  
• In local elections, Republicans continued to field candidates for county, municipal, and state legislative offices even as the county trended Democratic. Some notable Republican wins include:
  
  • Greg Lashutka’s landslide re-election as Columbus Mayor in 1995, a Republican victory in a historically GOP-aligned era.  

TIMELINE: FRANKLIN COUNTY GOP

1850s–1900s — Party Establishment & Dominance

1854 — The Ohio Republican Party is founded in Columbus, Ohio, making Franklin County an early center of Republican organization in the state.

Late 19th century — Franklin County strongly supports Republican candidates in national elections as part of a broader GOP dominance in Ohio.

1900s–1950s — Continued Republican Strength

Early 20th century — Republicans hold many county and local offices; GOP primaries and Central Committee activities shape local politics (formal county-level committees exist but detailed records are sparse).

1960s — Milestones in Representation

1966 — John W. E. Bowen III, a Republican, becomes the first African American elected to the Ohio Senate from Franklin County, winning a seat in the Ohio General Assembly.

1970s–1980s — Local Party Leadership

1970s — Local GOP leaders such as Russell Leach serve as Franklin County Republican Central & Executive Committee Chair, evidencing an organized party structure involved in national campaigns (e.g., hosting dignitaries during presidential visits).

1990s — Political Shifts Begin

1995 — Republican Greg Lashutka wins re-election as Mayor of Columbus in a landslide (67.9%), one of the last big local GOP victories in the city before broader Democratic trends take hold.

1996 onward — Franklin County begins reliably voting Democratic in presidential elections — a major political realignment from its longstanding Republican lean.

2000s — Republican Officeholders & Competitive Elections

2002–2006 — Republican and GOP-aligned candidates continue to compete at local and state levels, though Democrats increasingly win countywide offices (e.g., Franklin County Treasurer and Commissioners).

2010s — Organizational Trends

2010s — The Franklin County Republican Party maintains grassroots organization, clubs, and candidate recruitment even as countywide Democratic strength grows. Local clubs include young Republican groups and suburban conservative clubs supporting GOP outreach.

County GOP leaders and executive committee members, such as Douglas J. Preisse, have long careers in local/state politics, illustrating continuity in party operations.

2020s — Current Era

Early 2020s — Republicans still win selective legislative seats in parts of Franklin County (e.g., Ohio House Districts held by GOP members like Brian Stewart) amid predominantly Democratic County representation.

2022 — Michele Reynolds, a Republican, becomes the first Black Republican woman elected in Franklin County to the Ohio Senate, signaling ongoing GOP presence in local Republican politics.

Mid-2020s — The Franklin County GOP continues operations through its Central Committee, local clubs, and activity supporting candidates; leaders such as Meredith Freedhoff serve as chair, reflecting the party’s modern organizational structure.