HAMILTON — Carlos Todd, who guided the Butler County Republican Party to dominance during the past 10 years, will step down as party chairman in January.

        His resignation comes on the heels of the Republicans' sweep of Butler County public offices in the Nov. 7 election. It was the first time in county history the Republicans won every county office.

Todd

        Mr. Todd said Tuesday that he decided to resign to devote more time to his four development companies, his family and his golf game.

        “Time is a precious commodity, and it doesn't stand still,” he said. “The party has taken so much of my time over the past few years. I don't regret it, but I have other things I want to accomplish.”

        Mr. Todd's resignation will take effect Jan. 11, when the party's executive committee will meet to choose his replacement.

        Mr. Todd's likely successor is Joe Schwarz, party leaders say. Mr. Schwarz owns J II Homes in Fairfield and is the party's fourth vice chairman.

        When Mr. Todd took over party leadership in 1991, the Republican Party had a strong presence in Butler County, but Democrats held some county offices.

        In recent years, the GOP landslide victories have become the norm in countywide races.

        “Success always starts at the top,” Commissioner Chuck Furmon said. “With his hands-on style of leadership, Carlos is responsible for the success the Republican Party has had in recent years.”

        Mary Swain, chairman of the Republican Party's Central Committee, praised Mr. Todd's integrity and classy manner.

        “Carlos' finest quality is that he is always and ever a gentleman,” she said. “Carlos' strong leadership and gentlemanly manner will be sorely missed by me and all the members of our party.”

        Mr. Todd, a 62-year-old native Kentuckian who moved to West Chester Township in 1961, said he never expected to be party chairman for 10 years when he was appointed to his first two-year term.

        He said he had considered resigning in the past, but felt he should stay for the good of the party. The Republicans' sweep of county offices Nov. 7, he said, makes this a good time for him to step down.

        “I guess we have reached the pinnacle,” he said, laughing.

        He said his aging parents' failing health also has been a factor in his decision to resign. He lives with his wife, Joyce. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.

        Many prominent Democrats defected to the Republican Party during Mr. Todd's reign. They include Ohio Rep. Greg Jolivette, Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage and Don Dixon, former chairman of the Butler County Democratic Party.

        Joe Statzer, the party's political director who switched parties in 1994, said Mr. Todd's reputation as an effective, likeable leader helped draw some to the party.

        “The first time I sat down and talked with Carlos, I was a Democrat,” Mr. Statzer said. “That first time, I realized I liked him a lot and he had my total respect.”

        Mr. Todd's personable manner and his people skills have enabled him to pull party leaders together during times of conflict and disagreement, Mr. Furmon said.

        “He has a knack for saying the right thing at the right time,” he said. “He's good at working with all levels of the party. He never hesitates to make the tough decisions when they need to be made. He's a class operation.”

        Mr. Furmon said he strongly supports Mr. Schwarz as the next party chairman.

        “Joe has many of those same qualities Carlos has,” he said. “He's a natural leader. The party will be in good hands.”
       

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