Uncategorized

Taxpayers Footing Steep Bill to Move LaRose’s Secretary of State Office to Campaign HQ

Columbus, OH – Frank LaRose still owes Ohioans answers about his latest scandal after a report showed he is moving the Ohio Secretary of State Office to the same building as his Senate Campaign headquarters, costing Ohio taxpayers over half a million dollars. The Ohio Secretary of State office has been in the same location for decades – until LaRose started running for U.S. Senate.

As details about LaRose’s latest scandal are exposed, he must answer:

1. You claim the lease was set to expire – but was there no offer to renew it? Was the proposed rent less expensive than the overall cost of moving the entire Secretary of State’s office to a new building?
2. What was the process for deciding that you wanted to move the Secretary of State’s office from where it’s been for over 20 years?  And given how many buildings are located in Columbus, how do you explain the fact that you decided to put it in the same building your campaign is working out of?
3. Will you release the full details of your monthly lease for your campaign?  How much is your campaign paying per square foot compared to what the state is paying to be in the same building?
4. Was your campaign lease negotiated before or after you began to consider moving the Secretary of State’s office?
5. Have you put a process in place to ensure it is clear when you are at work as Secretary of State versus when you are at work campaigning for Senate? Will you commit now to release weekly schedules so Ohioans know how you’re spending your time?

Read / Watch More:

WATCH HERE

WCMH: “[LaRose’s] staffers say they considered three other buildings. NBC4 asked why none of those were chosen, but we have not heard back.”

WCMH: Secretary of state moves offices for the first time in nearly two decades

Natalie Fahmy

September 7, 2023

• The secretary of state is moving offices for the first time in nearly two decades – at least. A spokesperson for the secretary of state said the search for a new building was prompted because their current lease is ending.

• Right now, the office is on 180 E. Broad Street, but they are making a move to a new building on Civic Center Drive. It is the same address that Secretary of State Frank Larose (R-Ohio) lists for his U.S. Senate campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission.

• The move to the new building will cost $400,000 up front, in taxpayer dollars, to “to prepare and ready the space for the Office of the Secretary of State.” Plus, an additional $200,000 over the next two years for that same purpose.

###

Columbus, OH – It’s been another busy week in the Ohio Senate Slugfest. This week, Matt Dolan was caught red-handed criticizing Donald Trump and his primary candidates (Reminder: Dolan isn’t the only #OHSEN Republican to downplay Trump’s endorsement…) throwing more gasoline on this primary fire. Dolan is also in hot water after a new report shows he broke his pledge to financially support other GOP candidates through his leadership PAC and is instead funding his own campaign consultants. And no shocker here: Frank LaRose owes Ohioans answers after his latest scandal costs Ohioans.

Here’s what you missed this week in what has already been called one of the “messiest, “most expensive” and “bruising” primary battles in the country.

TRUMP CONTINUES TO CAUSE CHAOS IN #OHSEN SLUGFEST

Donald Trump’s looming presence continues to throw gasoline on the Ohio Senate slugfest fire. This week Matt Dolan was caught red-handed claiming whoever Trump endorses in the race will eventually lose while slamming LaRose and Moreno in the same breath.

But Dolan isn’t the only candidate who has been caught in Donald Trump’s ire. Frank LaRose also downplayed Donald Trump’s endorsement, saying “it doesn’t carry the same weight it used to” and was caught in hot water after making “kind remarks” about Trump-nemesis Mike Pence. LaRose refused to endorse the former President in 2016, 2020, and the first week of his Senate campaign.

Read more from The Messenger.

DOLAN BREAKS HIS PLEDGE TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT OTHER GOP CANDIDATES – INSTEAD PAYS OFF HIS CONSULTANTS

It was a rough week for Matt Dolan as a new report revealed that he broke his pledge to use his leadership PAC to support other GOP candidates – instead funneling cash to his own campaign consultants. In fact, “more than one year after its launch, Ohio Matters has spent more money on Dolan’s campaign consultants than candidates.”

Details on Dolan’s “public relations gimmick” follow reports that Dolan is using a “cheap loan” with a too-good-to-be-true interest rate to bankroll his Senate campaign.

LAROSE OWES OHIOANS ANSWERS AFTER HIS LATEST SCANDAL

The Ohio Secretary of State Office has been in the same location for decades – until LaRose started running for U.S. Senate. Now a new report outlines how LaRose is moving the Ohio Secretary of State Office to the same building as his Senate Campaign headquarters, costing Ohio taxpayers over half a million dollars.

WATCH HERE

WCMH: “[LaRose’s] staffers say they considered three other buildings. NBC4 asked why none of those were chosen, but we have not heard back.”

As details about LaRose’s latest scandal are exposed, he must answer:

You claim the lease was set to expire – but was there no offer to renew it? Was the proposed rent less expensive than the overall cost of moving the entire Secretary of State’s office to a new building?

What was the process for deciding that you wanted to move the Secretary of State’s office from where it’s been for over 20 years?  And given how many buildings are located in Columbus, how do you explain the fact that you decided to put it in the same building your campaign is working out of?

Will you release the full details of your monthly lease for your campaign?  How much is your campaign paying per square foot compared to what the state is paying to be in the same building?

Was your campaign lease negotiated before or after you began to consider moving the Secretary of State’s office?

Have you put a process in place to ensure it is clear when you are at work as Secretary of State versus when you are at work campaigning for Senate? Will you commit now to release weekly schedules so Ohioans know how you’re spending your time?

Quote of the Week:

Matt Dolan: “But if you seek the endorsement of President Trump right now,” he said, “I don’t believe, A) I don’t think you can win, and B) I don’t think you’re acting in the best interest of all of you.”

That’s gonna leave a mark!

###

The Ohio Secretary of State Office Has Been in Same Location for Decades – Until LaRose Started Running for U.S. Senate

Columbus, OH – Frank LaRose owes Ohioans answers about his latest scandal as a new report shows that he is moving the Ohio Secretary of State Office to the same building as his Senate Campaign headquarters, costing Ohio taxpayers over half a million dollars. 

This new scandal raises a series of questions of whether LaRose is using his government position to benefit his campaign for U.S. Senate.

“Frank LaRose is not working for Ohioans and his latest controversy is raising serious questions,” said ODP spokesperson Reeves Oyster. “This is just the latest example that LaRose will do whatever it takes to advance his political career, regardless of how it hurts – or costs – Ohioans.”

As details about LaRose’s latest scandal are exposed, he must answer:

1. You claim the lease was set to expire – but was there no offer to renew it? Was the proposed rent less expensive than the overall cost of moving the entire Secretary of State’s office to a new building?
2. What was the process for deciding that you wanted to move the Secretary of State’s office from where it’s been for over 20 years?  And given how many buildings are located in Columbus, how do you explain the fact that you decided to put it in the same building your campaign is working out of?
3. Will you release the full details of your monthly lease for your campaign?  How much is your campaign paying per square foot compared to what the state is paying to be in the same building?
4. Was your campaign lease negotiated before or after you began to consider moving the Secretary of State’s office?
5. Have you put a process in place to ensure it is clear when you are at work as Secretary of State versus when you are at work campaigning for Senate? Will you commit now to release weekly schedules so Ohioans know how you’re spending your time?

Read / Watch More:

WATCH HERE

WCMH: “[LaRose’s] staffers say they considered three other buildings. NBC4 asked why none of those were chosen, but we have not heard back.”

WCMH: Secretary of state moves offices for the first time in nearly two decades

Natalie Fahmy

September 7, 2023

• The secretary of state is moving offices for the first time in nearly two decades – at least. A spokesperson for the secretary of state said the search for a new building was prompted because their current lease is ending.

• Right now, the office is on 180 E. Broad Street, but they are making a move to a new building on Civic Center Drive. It is the same address that Secretary of State Frank Larose (R-Ohio) lists for his U.S. Senate campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission. 

• The move to the new building will cost $400,000 up front, in taxpayer dollars, to “to prepare and ready the space for the Office of the Secretary of State.” Plus, an additional $200,000 over the next two years for that same purpose.

###

TO: Reporters and Editors

FROM: Matt Keyes, Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director

RE: Republicans Have Broken the Redistricting Process in Ohio

As Ohio gears up for the latest round of redistricting, Ohio voters are still paying the price for last year’s process. Republican politicians – who oversee what the FBI has deemed the most corrupt statehouse in the nation – purposefully flouted the law and used the process for their own political benefit. And created two, multi-million dollar, taxpayer-funded primary elections in the process. 

Today, Ohio Democrats are reminding any out-of-touch GOP politicians looking to once again gerrymander our state: voters are watching and ready to remove them from the process if they ignore the law. 

Top-Level Background: 

In 2015 and 2018, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved two separate ballot measures to reform Ohio’s redistricting process. The reforms included certain political proportionality requirements to make sure redistricting did not favor one party over another. It also set certain standards for areas of Ohio that had typically been heavily gerrymandered. Last, it required public input that would allow Ohioans to have their say in the process. 

However, Republicans repeatedly manipulated the redistricting process to force on Ohioans GOP-gerrymandered maps that did not meet proportionality requirements, that clearly favored Republicans over Democrats and that didn’t even reflect feedback made by their own taxpayer-funded mapmakers, let alone Ohio voters. 

The Ohio Supreme Court bipartisanly rejected a total of 7 maps produced by Republicans on the Redistricting Commission. Republicans on the commission repeatedly ignored Court rulings and deadlines, stalling and delaying – despite repeated calls from Democrats to meet – and ultimately relying on politically-friendly judges to temporarily rubberstamp their maps and implement GOP-gerrymandered maps for 2022. 

Now, as we begin the process again, voters will be watching carefully to see if these out-of-touch politicians once again try to force through gerrymandered maps in a shortened timeframe that limits public input and rigs Ohio’s democracy against voters. If they do, we are ready to take the process out of the hands of politicians and back into the hands of the people. 

Republicans in their own words: 

Here’s a sampling of what Republicans had to say in their own words about the broken process and flawed maps: 

• Texting with Chief of Staff Merle Merle Madrid about the maps, LaRose wrote: “This rationale is asinine. I should vote no.” LaRose then did what he always does and voted for the maps, silencing Ohioans to support this political ambitions.

• Frank LaRose, as reported by Cleveland.com: “I fear we’re going to be back in this room very soon. This map has many shortcomings, but they pale in comparison to the shortcomings of this process.”

• Mike DeWine, as reported by Cleveland.com: “I have felt throughout this process that the committee could have produced a more clearly constitutional bill. That’s not the bill that we have in front of us.” 

• Mike DeWine to the Toledo Blade editorial board: “It didn’t work, and we need to fix it. Taking it out of the hands, frankly, of elected officials is probably a good idea.”

• Keith Faber, as reported by Spectrum News, after he voted no on one of the unconstitutional maps: “I understand the desire to have a map. I understand the desire to send a map to the Supreme Court that they will uphold. But again, I’m not going to, I’ve said all along, I’m not going to violate my view of the Constitution merely to get a map done.”

• Keith Faber to Cleveland.com: “I think there’s a decent chance this map won’t make the court’s test.” 

Read More: 

Cleveland.com: In voting for admittedly flawed maps, DeWine and LaRose abrogated their duty to Ohioans

Dayton Daily News: Ohio Supreme Court could hold Ohio Redistricting Commission in contempt of court

Ohio Capital Journal: Republican leaders tax Ohioans with costly second primary for rigged Statehouse districts

Cincinnati.com: In Ohio’s redistricting battle, Gov. Mike DeWine said he’d take the lead. But did he?

Statehouse News Bureau: With 6 weeks until Ohio’s primary, many voting districts still haven’t been decided

2021-2022 Redistricting Timeline

August, 2021 – Ohio Redistricting Commission beings work the first week of August and cites concerns over delays on delayed census figures

September 1, 2021 – Ohio Redistricting Commission misses deadline to produce a map by September 1

September 15, 2021 – The Redistricting Commission passes a gerrymandered state legislative map along party lines

October 31, 2021 – Ohio Redistricting Commission misses deadline to pass congressional map

November 18, 2021 – Ohio General Assembly passes gerrymandered congressional maps, largely along party lines

November 20, 2021 – Mike DeWine signs the gerrymandered congressional map into law, claiming it was the best map that had been proposed in the General Assembly and initiating a slew of legal challenges. DeWine also went on record saying he expected the process to be settled in court.

January 12, 2022 – Following hearings, first legislative maps ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court 4-3

January 14, 2022 – Following hearings, first congressional maps ruled unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court 4-3

January 22, 2022 – Republicans on the commission yet again jammed through a gerrymandered statehouse map, voting along party lines, citing shortened timetable as reasoning for a partisan map

February 7, 2022 – Following additional legal challenges, the second set of legislative maps rejected by the Supreme Court 4-3

February 21, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court orders redistricting commission members to explain why they should not be held in contempt; a move labeled as extraordinary by Ohio media

February 24, 2022 – Republicans on the redistricting commission jam the third set of gerrymandered legislative maps through the approval process, again citing condensed timetable for no 10-year map. Democrats were never involved in the drawing process and only saw maps shortly before hearing. Maps passed commission largely along party lines with Keith Faber siding with Democrats;

February 24, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court initially orders redistricting commission to appear in person to face contempt of court charges

February 25, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court continues contempt of court hearing for redistricting commission members to an unspecified date

February 28, 2022 – Ohio Association of Elections requests May 3 Primary delay

March 2, 2022 – Ohio Republicans jam second set of congressional maps through approval process along party lines

March 4, 2022 – Late in the evening, Frank LaRose requested a waiver for overseas Ohioans (especially those serving in the military) to have a shortened voting period. The move was ultimately rejected by the Department of Defense.

March 16, 2022 – Third set of legislative maps approved by commission ruled unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court 

March 21, 2022 – Federal court case using a three-judge panel to rule on legislative maps begins. Two judges chosen are Trump-appointed Republicans

March 28, 2022 – Republicans ignore maps produced by independent mapmakers, pass fourth set of gerrymandered maps that members of the commission saw only minutes before they passed. Faber votes with Democrats, but Republican majority passes maps. 

April 14, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court rejects fourth set of GOP-gerrymandered maps, saying the maps barely changed from previous versions ruled unconstitutional and that they violated redistricting reforms passed by Ohio voters. 

April 20, 2022 – Federal panel announces that if commission does not redraw statehouse maps by May 28, Court will implement statehouse maps previously rejected by Ohio Supreme Court. 

May 5, 2022 – Republicans on the Redistricting Commission resubmit third map to Ohio Supreme Court, a map that the court has already rejected. 

May 25, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court rejects GOP-gerrymandered statehouse maps for the fifth time, orders commission to draw ‘entirely new’ maps by June 3

May 27, 2022 – Federal court implements gerrymandered statehouse maps 

July 19, 2022 – Ohio Supreme Court finds second congressional map unconstitutional, orders commission to redraw new maps for 2024 

August 2, 2022 – Ohio holds an unprecedented second primary election on illegal statehouse districts, costing taxpayers an additional $20 million  

###

Details on Dolan’s “public relations gimmick” follows reporting that Dolan is using a “cheap loan” to bankroll his Senate campaign 

Columbus, OH – A new report from the Columbus Dispatch revealed that Matt Dolan is using the leadership PAC he created to financially support GOP candidates to funnel cash to his own campaign consultants instead. In fact, “more than one year after its launch, Ohio Matters has spent more money on Dolan’s campaign consultants than candidates.” 

Details on Dolan’s “public relations gimmick” follow reports that Dolan is using a “cheap loan” with a too-good-to-be-true interest rate to bankroll his Senate campaign. 

Political Scientist David Cohen said, “The fact that [Dolan’s] contributed nothing leads me to believe that the PAC was nothing [more] than a public relations gimmick.” 

Read more:

Columbus Dispatch: This 2024 Ohio Senate candidate pledged to help GOP with a new PAC. Did he deliver?

Haley BeMiller

September 7, 2023

• After he lost Ohio’s 2022 U.S. Senate primary, state Sen. Matt Dolan pledged to put his money where his mouth is.

• But more than one year after its launch, Ohio Matters has spent more money on Dolan’s campaign consultants than candidates. And Dolan, who’s part of the wealthy family that owns the Cleveland Guardians, never made the personal contribution he promised when the PAC kicked off.

• The findings come after one of Dolan’s primary opponents, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, criticized him for not doing enough to support Issue 1, the failed effort to make it harder to amend Ohio’s constitution.

• “The fact that he’s contributed nothing leads me to believe that the PAC was nothing [more] than a public relations gimmick,” said David Cohen, a political scientist at the University of Akron.

• Dolan said he would invest an undetermined amount of his own money, but that never happened, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

• Ohio Matters also gave $2,000 to the Ohio Republican Party and $2,500 to the Ohio Young Republican PAC. At the same time, it’s paid $29,000 to political firms run by Dolan’s campaign manager and top political adviser. The consultants helped advise and manage the  PAC between Dolan’s Senate bids.

• Cohen said PACs need to raise millions of dollars and either get behind one key race or several candidates to be influential. Anything short of that isn’t serving much of a purpose, he argued. “It just seems to be languishing,” Cohen said.

Cleveland.com: How a multimillionaire U.S. Senate candidate financed his race with a cheap loan

Jake Zuckerman

August 22, 2023

• Financial disclosure statements show Dolan – a scion of a family that owns the Cleveland Guardians who’s worth somewhere between $14.5 and $41 million – took out a line of credit in 2021 with the financial services giant for between $5 million and $25 million.

• The Morgan Stanley financing speaks to some of the financial gateways available to wealthy politicians but closed to most the constituents they represent. However, even in terms of a U.S. Senate crammed with millionaires, Dolan’s financial arrangement sticks out.

• The loan Dolan took out seems to follow the “buy, borrow, die” tax avoidance strategy, according to Edward McCaffery, a tax law professor at the University of Southern California who’s said to have coined the phrase. The idea is that wealthy Americans can limit their tax liabilities by accumulating assets like stocks that appreciate in value without producing taxable income; borrowing money against those assets; and passing the assets on in death to their heirs.

• “It’s good to be rich,” McCaffery said.

• “If you’re not super wealthy, a bank is not going to give you a personal loan to fund a political campaign,” [Bob Salera] said.

Cleveland.com: LTE: Matt Dolan’s sweetheart campaign loan tells us everything we need to know about his approach to public office

Rick Bohan, Akron

September 2, 2023

• It seems he got his buddies at Morgan Stanley bank, which holds over $1 trillion in assets, to provide him with a line of credit worth millions of dollars at the ultra-low interest rate of 0.832%. Meanwhile, the rest of us who aren’t making such loan deals at the country club with our bankers are paying almost 10% on our home loans and around 20% on our credit cards.

• Matt will try to tell us that he understands our problems and will represent our interests in Washington. The only thing we can be sure of is that he’ll side with his wealthy cronies who are bankrolling his campaign.

###