CONNEAUT — The Rev. Robert Tarasiak has become the first Republican candidate to file with the Ashtabula County Board of Elections in the race to be state representative for Ohio’s 99th district, which includes all of Ashtabula County and northern Trumbull County.

The seat is held by Democrat Deborah Newcomb.

Tarasiak, while filing as a Republican, says at heart he’s a “common-sense conservative” who has been associated with the area’s Taxed Enough Already (TEA) parties. He spoke at the party held in July and describes himself as a “constitutionalist” whose loyalties are to God and the U.S. Constitution.

He considered running as an independent or under the Get Out of Our House plan to replace all U.S. representatives this fall, but after praying about it, decided to return to his Republican roots and go for a state office.

Tarasiak said he was encouraged by the response he received to his TEA party involvement and a newspaper story about his commitment to God and country. He was approached about being a candidate, decided to take out a petition, and quickly obtained enough signatures to file.

“It was really quick,” said Tarasiak, who filed his petition Dec. 28, 2009. Several others have taken out petitions for the May primary, but none had filed as of the close of business Friday.

An election committee and bank account have been set up for his campaign, and Tarasiak is off and running this weekend with a booth at a gun show in Niles.

Retired from the U.S. Air Force, Tarasiak holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic technology and Christian theology/ pastoral. He is senior pastor of the Family Fellowship Church in Conneaut and a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association and Conneaut Area Ministerial Association.

Like every political leader and candidate, from the president on down, Tarasiak says his primary focus will be — you guessed it — jobs.

“We got issues here in the county that need to be addressed,” he said. “We have a serious economic problem: a lack of jobs and industry.”

He said his approach would be to offer incentives to businesses that would locate here and provide living wages for residents. He said the integrity and credibility of the companies looking to receive those incentives would have to be investigated to make sure those inducements are allocated wisely.

He also espouses the populist themes of reducing the size of government and with that, taxes.

“We can’t rely on big government anymore,” he said. “It used to be we didn’t have all these programs; people helped each other. Unfortunately, greed and corruption have taken the place of family values and integrity.”

Tarasiak’s slogan is “honesty, integrity and service.” He said if he doesn’t have the answer for a constituent, he’ll be honest and tell them as much but he’ll also dig out the answer. Tarasiak said his years of service to his county in the Air Force should be an indicator of his willingness to be a servant, which he equates with true leadership.

He plans to continue to lead his congregation while serving as state representative, although it will take a lot of personal sacrifice. While he recognizes that his background as a pastor and his commitment to the faith may alienate some voters, Tarasiak points out that his faith also serves as the foundation for the characteristics many voters want in their elected officials.

“It keeps me honest, and it keeps me in the servanthood-type of environment,” he said. “We lack credibility, accountability and honesty in government because of selfishness and greed.”

Tarasiak said he wants to take back government so it is once again for and by the people. A lot of things have to change for that to happen, including removing the influence of special-interest groups and lobbyists in the legislative process.

“We can’t do business as usual anymore,” he said. “For so many years, it’s been the current status quo, and it’s not been productive. We’re going in the wrong direction; we’re leaning more and more toward big government. We’re overtaxed, over-regulated.”

online: www.bobtarasiak.com.