Concealed Carry and Gun Owners of America. "I unequivocally support the Second Amendment right of every law-abiding Ohioan to keep and own firearms for hunting, personal protection and any other lawful purpose," said Blackwell. "I am proud to receive the NRA's highest rating and will be an unflinching advocate for gun owners as governor." Bonuses After Blackwell left office as Secretary of State, an audit found that he had awarded $80,534 in illegal bonuses to 17 employees. RNC Chairman Election Blackwell announced his intentions to run in the 2009 RNC Chairmanship Election, but withdrew after the 4th round of voting. He won early endorsement from the state chairmen in Louisiana (Roger F. Villere, Jr.), Texas (Tina Benkiser), and Oklahoma (Gary Jones). RNC Chairman Vote Source: CQPolitics, and Poll Pundit Candidate won that Round of voting Candidate withdrew Candidate won RNC Chairmanship Association with Family Research Council (FRC) Family Research Council identifies Blackwell as a Senior Fellow for Family Empowerment. According to the organization's 2010 form 990 filing with the Internal Revenue Service, Blackwell was paid $162,000 as an independent contractor. National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA) In October 2011, the National Federation of Republican Assemblies elected Blackwell their Executive Vice President at their Des Moines, Iowa Presidential Preference Convention. Blackwell was re-elected in September 2013. Involvement in Trump transition During the presidential transition of Donald Trump, Blackwell led appointment selections for positions involving domestic issues. Bibliography Rebuilding America: A Prescription for Creating Strong Families, Building the Wealth of Working People, and Ending Welfare. WND Books, 2006. (with Jerome R. Corsi) The Blueprint: Obama's Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency. Lyons Press, 2010. (with Ken Klukowski) See also Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 1st District List of African-American Republicans References External links The Chicago Tribune: The anti-Obama Ken Blackwell's personal site – Ken Blackwell's personal site Hardball with Chris Matthews, March 22, 2005, Terri Schiavo case "Broadening the Field for 2008" by Tara Ross, The American Enterprise Online'', December 2, 2004, retrieved October 29, 2005. 1948 births Living people 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American politicians 21st-century American politicians 21st-century evangelicals 2004 United States election voting controversies 2020 United States presidential electors African-American mayors in Ohio African-American people in Ohio politics American evangelicals American Freemasons Black conservatism in the United States Charter Party politicians Christians from Ohio Mayors of Cincinnati Ohio Republicans Secretaries of State of Ohio