STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Statehouse Museum Shop will host two book signings Wed., Dec. 16, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Map Room of the Ohio Statehouse featuring Representative Michael F. Curtin, Joe Hallett and Jim Heath. Both titles are available for purchase in the Statehouse Museum Shop.

Rep. Curtin, a former reporter, editor, associate publisher, chief operating officer, and vice chairman at the Columbus Dispatch and current member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and Mr. Hallett, a longtime Ohio political reporter, will be signing their new, third edition of “The Ohio Politics Almanac.” The revised and updated edition features electoral maps, charts and statistical analyses of Ohio’s presidential and gubernatorial elections, along with county-by-county profiles —this is the “Bible” of Ohio politics.

New to this edition is the emphasis on electoral politics, featuring the gubernatorial and presidential maps for the last 10 election cycles. The Almanac now contains maps and charts that illustrate and analyze the outcomes of presidential and gubernatorial elections statewide, by region and by county. The new material offers even more insight into why Ohio has become America’s bellwether and a fulcrum state in presidential races—a must-win prize in modern national elections.

Mr. Heath, a former battleground Ohio political journalist, will sign his new book “Front Row Seat at the Circus: One Journalist’s Journey through Two Presidential Elections.” Heath, who was the political reporter and moderator of Capitol Square on WBNS 10TV, took a year off from his television career to write the book detailing his experiences covering presidential campaigns. “I had too many great campaign stories from both South Carolina and Ohio not to write this book,” said Heath.

The book has received rave reviews from national journalists, politicians and pundits. “It's a tour de force of American politics,” said Jeff Zeleny, CNN’s Senior Washington Correspondent. "Jim’s insights are colorful and conversational, and the background becomes the foreground for the wild rides that elections provide,” added Rick Klein, Political Director for ABC News.

Experts from both sides of the political aisle have rated it high too. Kevin Madden, a Senior Advisor and Spokesman for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, said:
"Presidential campaigns are more grit than glamour, and Jim Heath has woven together a sharp and perceptive account of America’s political battlegrounds and the pivotal role these corners of the country play in the selection of the leader of the free world. ‘Front Row Seat at the Circus’ is the work of a tenacious reporter, with an eye for bringing to life the colorful characters and local electoral customs shaping the pageantry of presidential politics. The book takes readers behind the pipe and drape of the event stage and lets them witness campaign life in raw form."

"Jim understands that while circuses have plenty of clowns, they have moments of great artistry as well. He reports on both, never succumbs to cynicism, and provides us a window into what makes the best politicians--and the best journalists--tick," said David Wilhelm, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and the Campaign Manager for Bill Clinton for President in 1992.

Both titles are a must read for any Buckeye state politicos. The book signings will be held Wed., Dec. 16, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Map Room of the Ohio Statehouse.

Order “The Ohio Politics Almanac."
Order “Front Row Seat at the Circus: One Journalist’s Journey through Two Presidential Elections."

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To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

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