Uncategorized

For Immediate Release:
Friday, June 24, 2022

“That appointment is loaded with potential conflicts of interests.”

Columbus, OH — In case you missed it, the Cleveland.com Editorial Board called out Jon Husted for his blatant conflict of interest in taking a paid position on the board of Heartland Bank. The editorial demands Husted resign his side gig and focus on his elected duty to the people of Ohio. Aside from taking his six-figure taxpayer-funded salary, Husted is being compensated by the bank for his work on the board, but he won’t say how much they are paying him.

“Husted’s decision could open a floodgate for elected officials to use their seats of power to secure lucrative positions in the for-profit universe, raising immediate questions about whether they sought office to serve the public or to fill their pockets with cash.” writes the Cleveland.com Editorial Board.

Cleveland.com now joins the Toledo Blade in taking Husted to task over his decision to accept paid work while in office. The Blade previously called the decision a “pathetic judgment” and “tone deaf to the concerns of the people of Ohio.” The Ohio Democratic Party has also called on Husted to answer key questions about his move to take a paid corporate gig while in office.

“Jon Husted and Republicans aren’t even trying to hide it anymore: They’re just openly lining their own pockets from special interest buddies rather than doing the jobs they were elected to do. Ohio deserves transparency and accountability from leaders, something we are sure to keep losing if Mike DeWine and Jon Husted remain in office,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Matt Keyes.

Read more on the calls for Husted to resign the bank post here and below:

• It is hard to understand how Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted does not see a problem with serving as a paid board member for a private Ohio bank that is regulated by and does business with the state of Ohio.
• You may recall that Heartland BancCorp, which does business as Heartland Bank, recently announced Husted’s appointment to the company’s board of directors. The post is a paid position, although neither the bank nor Husted disclosed his compensation.
• Husted was elected to the board in March after he and his wife invested in Heartland, but the banking company didn’t announce his appointment until May.
• That appointment is loaded with potential conflicts of interests.
• As lieutenant governor, he also heads state initiatives to promote workforce training and streamlining of regulations and tends to serve as a point person for Gov. Mike DeWine’s business and economic development-related initiatives. That includes having influence at JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development arm.
• Heartland Bank has several points of overlap with the state government.
• As a state-chartered bank, it is regulated by the state Department of Commerce. It is certified as a public depository, meaning it’s eligible to hold cash and other investments owned by the state government. Through a title company subsidiary called Transcounty Title Agency, Heartland participates in an electronic lien and titling program administered through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which falls under the governor’s office. Transcounty received $813,100 in state grants, administered through the state Public Works Commission, from 2013 through 2015, according to the state.
• Effective government requires transparency and public confidence that those holding positions of public trust are acting free from undue outside influences. As such, the standard for officeholders should be to avoid any appearances of potential conflicts or impropriety.
• Husted’s decision could open a floodgate for elected officials to use their seats of power to secure lucrative positions in the for-profit universe, raising immediate questions about whether they sought office to serve the public or to fill their pockets with cash.
• It’s hard to accept that “trust me” is the proper guardrail for public confidence in state government. Husted should resign from this position immediately, and if he does not, voters should take note when they go to the polls in November.

###

For Immediate Release:
June 24, 2022

Columbus, OH — After the U.S. Senate voted to pass a historic bipartisan gun safety bill, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters released the following statement:

“Thanks to Senator Brown for voting for this landmark legislation – the first major gun violence prevention legislation to pass in nearly 30 years – that brings us one step closer to ending this deadly epidemic in America. This bipartisan plan will enhance background checks, fund state efforts to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and curb gun trafficking.  

“This historic step to keep Americans safe would not have been possible without Senator Portman, and makes clear just how extreme J.D. Vance and Mike DeWine are in their steadfast opposition to these commonsense reforms. After the Dayton shooting, Mike DeWine promised he would ‘do something’ to curb gun violence but has only put more Ohioans at risk. J.D. Vance used to support red flag laws to keep Ohioans safe – but made a political calculation to support laws that endanger more Ohioans in order to further his own ambition. This November, Ohioans won’t forget that Republicans on the ballot have put our teachers, schoolchildren and public safety officers in harm’s way.” 

###

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, June 23, 2022

Toledo, OH — Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters requested any and all FBI records pertaining to J.R. Majewski’s activities in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Majewski has admitted to being at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and raising funds for others to be there as well. With other Republican politicians being arrested for their role in the insurrection and amid the ongoing congressional hearings on what occurred that day, Ohioans deserve answers about the extent of Majewski’s involvement.

“As the FBI investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack continues, we request all records related to Mr. Majewski’s involvement, as well as information on any closed or ongoing FBI investigation into him. Mr. Majewski has publicly acknowledged such an FBI investigation, and reports held by the FBI will provide vitally important information about him and his actions as he asks Ohioans for their votes,” writes Walters.

Read the full letter to the FBI below:  

Ohio Democratic Party

340 E Fulton Street

Columbus, OH 43215

June 22, 2022

Director Christopher Wray

FBI Headquarters

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Wray,

On January 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol with the intent of overturning the 2020 presidential election. With a gallows set up in front of the Capitol, many in this mob chanted that they wanted to hang the Vice President of the United States.

Over the course of several hours, the mob attacked members of the U.S. Capitol Police – whose sworn duty is to protect the Capitol grounds, Members of the House and Senate, and thousands of Capitol staffers. More than 100 members of the Capitol Police were injured during the attack, and several later died.

With numerous Republican candidates for elected office having been arrested for their involvement in the attack, voters have a right to be informed as to whether other candidates who are actively seeking their vote face similar legal consequences. J.R. Majewski – running for Congress in Ohio – has openly admitted that he participated on January 6, and that he raised money for others to do so as well. Publicly available photos, videos, and social media posts corroborate Mr. Majewski’s admission.

In a recorded video, an associate of Mr. Majewski’s states that – during the Capitol attack – Mr. Majewski passed Capitol Police barricades and reached the base of the Capitol. In this video, Mr. Majewski lays blame on Capitol Police, stating they “were very irresponsible” and had “pissed him off” to the point that he “was ready to go.”

As the FBI investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack continues, we request all records related to Mr. Majewski’s involvement, as well as information on any closed or ongoing FBI investigation into him. Mr. Majewski has publicly acknowledged such an FBI investigation, and reports held by the FBI will provide vitally important information about him and his actions as he asks Ohioans for their votes.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Walters

Chair, Ohio Democratic Party

###

Columbus, OH — In case you missed it, the Ironton Tribune Editorial Board called out Mike DeWine and his fellow Republicans for trying to claim credit for critical investments in Appalachia after they opposed the funding that made these investments possible. DeWine and his fellow Republicans opposed the American Rescue Plan, but now want to campaign on funding from the bill.

The American Rescue Plan passed thanks to support from Ohio Democrats, including Sherrod Brown, Tim Ryan, Marcy Kaptur, Joyce Beatty, Marcia Fudge and Nan Whaley. And no thanks to Ohio Republicans, who opposed this bill from the beginning. The Ohio Democratic Party is working to make sure voters in Appalachia and across the state know who’s really on their side and who’s just looking for campaign photo ops.

“DeWine seems to have no problem spending ARPA funds and touting it, such as when he used them for behavioral health care and law enforcement initiatives in the state. Of course, nowhere in these announcements is credit to Biden or Democrats in Congress, who actually made them available,” writes the Tribune Editorial Board.

Read more from the Ironton Tribune here and below:

• When Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $500 million investment in Ohio’s Appalachian counties this year, which was approved by the state’s General Assembly, the news was greeted with praise, as a long-neglected part of the state was getting a much-needed boost.
• However, as the governor and leaders in the Republican-controlled statehouse pat each other on the back and offer congratulations, there is an elephant in the room that is not being addressed — had their party had its way at the national level, this investment would never have happened.
• Funds for the state’s investment came heavily from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden near the start of his term in 2021.
• The problem with the celebration by Ohio’s Republicans as the money is distributed is that not a single Republican in Congress voted for the package, which passed solely because of Democratic support.
• Bill Johnson, whose district lies almost entirely in Appalachia and includes Lawrence County, joined his party in the House in opposing ARPA, and, in a press release, called it “fake COVID relief legislation” and a “grab bag of Democrat (sic) liberal wish list.”
• Adjacent to his district is that of Brad Wenstrup, into which Lawrence County will fall after redistricting takes effect. Wenstrup similarly opposed ARPA, calling it a “so-called ‘COVID-19 relief’ bill,” and a “partisan wish list.”
• In fact, of members of Congress appearing on the ballot in Lawrence County, the only one who can say he voted for the legislation that made the Appalachian investment possible is Sherrod Brown, the state’s Democratic U.S. senator.
• As the investment funds go into effect for infrastructure, tourism development, education and workforce training and community health projects, there will no doubt be ribbon cutting ceremonies with various political figures invited.
• Will Johnson and Wenstrup show up to proclaim “I am here today to celebrate this project that I voted against funding?” Don’t count on such straightforwardness when the cameras are rolling.
• Even DeWine, who proposed this Appalachian package, opposed ARPA, stating at a March appearance at the City Club of Cleveland that he would have voted against it had he still been in the Senate.
• DeWine seems to have no problem spending ARPA funds and touting it, such as when he used them for behavioral health care and law enforcement initiatives in the state. Of course, nowhere in these announcements is credit to Biden or Democrats in Congress, who actually made them available.
• Republicans and conservatives demonized ARPA at the time with their go-to label of “socialism” and labeling it as runaway government spending, a curious stance, as they voted for similar COVID-19 relief bills when their party held the White House with Donald Trump.
• It’s amazing how all it takes is the letter after a politician’s name being different for a political party to sing a different tune.
• In their knee-jerk opposition to ARPA, Republicans missed out on a chance to be a part of crafting good government in action and could have had an even bigger role in seeing the region’s priorities addressed.

###

For Immediate Release:
June 21, 2022

Columbus, OH — In an interview yesterday on Fox News, J.D. Vance was asked three times to clarify whether he truly believes survivors of rape and incest should be forced to give birth.

When trying to explain his position, Vance said (at around 5:30) that if Roe is overturned, “We have an opportunity, whatever the Supreme Court does on Roe, to really redefine the terms of the debate and to think of children as blessings to be cherished…” Does Vance think that rape and incest are “blessings to be cherished?”

This is just Vance’s latest in a series of dangerous and out-of-touch broadsides against abortion rights.

• Vance has said that overturning Roe v. Wade would be an “amazing victory,” despite the 53 percent of Ohio voters who want to see abortion rights protected according to a recent Suffolk University poll.
• In the past, Vance said that “two wrongs don’t make a right,” when defending his calls to deny abortion care to victims of rape and incest.
• Vance then downplayed sexual assault, saying that “It’s not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, it’s whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child’s birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem to the society.” Vance’s position is even out-of-step with Donald Trump, who supported exceptions for rape and incest.

“J.D. Vance has already made clear he wants to punish women for trying to get an abortion – even in cases of rape and incest. Now Vance must explain to survivors of these crimes in what universe he thinks rape and incest could conceivably be ‘blessings to be cherished,’” said Michael Beyer, a spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party.

###