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In Case You Missed It, Josh Mandel is so extreme and unappealing as a candidate that even loyal donors of his own party don’t want to associate with him. Axios reported today that Mandel was kicked out of a Republican National Committee event in Florida after showing up uninvited. While Mandel portrays himself as ‘anti-establishment,’ he’s so desperate to win the approval of Republican mega-donors, he’s willing to try and crash their parties — and get kicked out in the process.

“Despite not having his name on the list, Mandel seized on the opportunity to get some face time with top Republican donors while they all were in one place, one source familiar with his plans told Axios. But when the first event formally kicked off at the hotel Friday night, Mandel and others who did not have credentials were asked to leave,” writes Axios.

While Mandel was kicked out of the event, Jane Timken’s wealth and connections to party elite scored her an invite to the exclusive event. This is just the latest of several desperate attempts by both candidates to score Donald Trump’s endorsement, even as Trump refuses to endorse either one. 

Both Timken and Mandel are clearly more interested in the securing the support of Trump and GOP mega-donors than the Ohioans they claim to want to represent — and seemingly willing to stoop as low as necessary in the process. 

Read more about Mandel being escorted away from the retreat HERE and below:

• During this weekend’s highly anticipated donor retreat hosted by the Republican National Committee in Palm Beach, Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel was escorted off the premises while his primary opponent, Jane Timken, was allowed to stay, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell Axios.
• The invitation-only event is taking place at the Four Seasons Resort, and the RNC reserved the entire hotel. While Timken, former Ohio GOP chair, was invited to the event “because she is a major donor” — Mandel was not, so he was asked to leave, according to one of the sources.
• Despite not having his name on the list, Mandel seized on the opportunity to get some face time with top Republican donors while they all were in one place, one source familiar with his plans told Axios.
• But when the first event formally kicked off at the hotel Friday night, Mandel and others who did not have credentials were asked to leave.

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In Case You Missed It, a Columbus Dispatch report today raised questions of conflicts of interest involving Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose as he gets set to host a fundraising event with the Strategy Group, a consulting group with ties to the HB 6 scandal. The Strategy Group produced dark-money funded ads for the scandal-ridden HB 6 campaign, a bribery scheme which led to federal charges against then-Speaker Larry Householder and other Ohio Republicans as they lined their own pockets while putting Ohio taxpayers on the hook for a massive nuclear bailout. 

The Strategy Group received top billing on a fundraising invitation sent out on behalf of LaRose’s campaign this week. 

“Why is LaRose holding a reelection fundraiser Tuesday co-hosted by the Strategy Group? Could it be a conflict of interest for the Republican?” asks Darrel Rowland of the Dispatch, detailing next week’s fundraiser. 

While LaRose has publicly claimed to oppose dark money in politics and has tried to distance himself from Ohio Republicans involved in the HB 6 scandal, his willingness to rub elbows and fundraise with the HB 6-linked group shows these publicity stunts ring hollow and once again demonstrates that LaRose is willing to put his own political interests above the interests of Ohio voters. 

Read more HERE and below:

• The Strategy Group, which was responsible for many ads in the multimillion-dollar effort touting the controversial House Bill 6 bailout of two Ohio nuclear power plants and opposing a referendum to overturn it, is hosting a fundraiser for Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
• At least some of those HB6 spots were funded by dark money, the use of which has been strongly condemned by LaRose.
• Public documents show connections between the consulting firm or its affiliates and the questioned endeavors of Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, the former Ohio House Speaker who has pleaded innocent to federal charges in what authorities say was a $60 million bribery scheme related to passage of HB6. Strategy Group has not been accused or charged in that matter.
• The consultant also is fighting a subpoena in a separate Elections Commission case on a complaint that the Strategy Group was among the spenders of hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegally undisclosed Householder-connected campaign cash for a southwestern Ohio House seat.
• All this is background to a question: Why is LaRose holding a reelection fundraiser Tuesday co-hosted by the Strategy Group? Could it be a conflict of interest for the Republican?
• The fundraiser invitation seeks campaign contributions of $250 to $2,500. Other hosts include state Sen. Andy Brenner, R-Delaware, Delaware County GOP Chairman Steve Cuckler, and Delaware County Commissioner Jeff Benton, and his wife, Barbara.

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COLUMBUS — The Ohio Democratic Party released the following statement from Chairwoman Liz Walters in response to Sen. Rob Portman’s announcement today that he will not run for re-election in 2022:

“Over the past four years, Rob Portman has been one of Donald Trump’s biggest defenders, so his attempt today to rewrite that history is ridiculous. This is the guy who, when asked about Trump’s decision to attack peaceful protesters with tear gas, said he was ‘late for lunch.’ This is the guy who backed Mitch McConnell’s theft of a Supreme Court seat from President Barack Obama. If Portman wants to complain about the death of civility and the triumph of partisan gridlock, he should take a long, hard look in the mirror and think about what he wants to be his legacy.

“The truth is, Portman is looking at the same data we are — the Ohio Senate seat was going to be a hard road for him, after he backed failed policies like the Trump tax scam and the Affordable Care Act repeal. In 2022 Ohioans want to send someone to the U.S. Senate who fights for them, not for special interests. This was always going to be a competitive race, and now it’s even more competitive.”

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COLUMBUS — The Ohio Democratic Party released the following statements in recognition of the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris:

From Chairwoman Liz Walters:

“Last November, Americans turned out in record numbers to elect new leaders who will bring us together, heal our country and restore the soul of our nation. Starting today and in the coming days and weeks, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver much-needed relief and ensure justice for all Americans. We look forward with resolve and restored hope in our shared future.

“We celebrate today’s inauguration as a historic day for the American people, as we see the first woman and the first African American and Asian American sworn in as our vice president, by the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Across this nation little girls and boys are watching and seeing themselves represented at our nation’s highest levels of leadership, and they know they can truly do anything.”

From Vice Chairman Andre Washington:

“On Day One, President Biden and Vice President Harris are getting right to work to address the coronavirus crisis, provide economic relief for American families, support workers, advance racial equity, tackle climate change and help create good union jobs. Working together, we will build back better.”

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Walters Gets To Work Immediately On Efforts To Strengthen The Party, Names Malik Hubbard As Interim Executive Director

Hubbard Has Extensive Experience In Ohio Politics, Will Be First Black ED In State Party History

COLUMBUS — Today newly elected Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters announced Ohio native Malik Hubbard will serve as interim Executive Director for the state party as Walters gets to work immediately strengthening the party and fighting for a better Ohio. Hubbard, who has extensive experience in Ohio politics, will help oversee the transition process and support Walters as she takes over as Chair. Hubbard will be the first Black Executive Director of ODP after Walters made history earlier this week as the first woman elected to serve as ODP Chair.

Walters has committed to a transparent hiring process, which will include input from party stakeholders, that Hubbard will help implement and oversee. Hubbard will serve as interim Executive Director, until the position is filled permanently.

“We’re thrilled to have Malik onboard as we hit the ground running on day one, fighting for a better, more inclusive Ohio and putting our state back on the right track. Malik’s experience will help us operate at a high level as we begin to lay the foundation for a stronger Ohio Democratic Party in the months and years ahead,” said Walters.

“I’m honored to join ODP as interim Executive Director, supporting Chair Walters and her vision of a stronger Ohio Democratic Party. Knowing that our work couldn’t come at a more important time, I’m excited to get to work right away, fighting for Democratic values and moving our party forward,” said Hubbard.

Hubbard is a veteran Ohio political operative from Cleveland with interdepartmental expertise in the engagement and turnout of African Americans and other voters of color. In the 2016 presidential election, Malik served as the National Deputy African-American Vote Director for Hillary for America, where he led the in-state national African-American voter engagement program. Previously, Malik has had a number of campaign leadership roles in Ohio, including a large-scale field effort as the Co-Founder of Moving Ohio Forward, Ohio for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, Gov. Ted Strickland’s administration and the Political Director of the Ohio Democratic Party in 2008. Hubbard also served as the State Field Director of the Ohio Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 2006 that led to the election of Ted Strickland as Governor and Sherrod Brown as U.S. Senator.

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