It turns out that I know my state rep pretty well.. but this has to be done by the petition approach or it will just get mired in talking for too long, even with the best of intentions.
I likewise have been in contact with my state rep. He concurred with what you have said, and doubted it would actually ever be debated on the floor without a petition.
He was even less sure that a petition would work at this late stage. Further, it is fairly well understood now that Brunner will lose the next election. If she is removed from office, then Strickland would be able to make the appointment. This person would probably then win in the next election.
Bottom line is that the GOP seems to have some sort of strategy here. Petitions might grab headlines, but removing Brunner from office before the election seems a long shot at best.