The Ohio Republican Party issued this news release Tuesday afternoon about the developing controversy involving a program where Ohio University student Democrats thought the Athens County Democratic Party would pay them $5 for each Fourth Ward “friend” they brought to the polls to vote in that ward’s City Council race. The program is under investigation, though not for what the GOP release suggests.

Nobody involved in the investigation is alleging that the Democrats intended to pay people to vote, but rather that they’d pay a bounty to student party members who brought friends in to vote. While the first thing is illegal, the second probably isn’t.

But neither the Athens County GOP or their counterparts at the state level will let the facts get in the way of a good attack opportunity. — Terry Smith, editor The Athens NEWS


Ohio GOP Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: John McClelland
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DeWine Calls on Strickland to Demand Resignation of Athens County Democratic Chair Local Party Accused of Offering Cash for Votes

(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine called today on Gov. Ted Strickland to demand the resignation of his Athens County Democratic Party chair amid allegations of vote fraud.

The Athens Post (sic) reports the party is under investigation for "scheming to pay Ohio University students $5 for each 4th Ward resident brought to the polls for early voting," prompting questions about whether money was being exchanged for votes.

According to the Athens Post, prosecutor Dave Warren said, "I think it smells like the Democrats are trying to buy an election."

Party Chair Susan Gwinn was recently indicted by a grand jury for money laundering and theft in office.

"Gov. Strickland said he would enforce a higher standard, so he should start by demanding the resignation of his corrupt Athens County chair," said DeWine.  "The governor talks a big game when it comes to cleaning up his own house, but, unfortunately, he'll probably turn a blind eye to the alleged fraud in Athens County just like he's done with the scandal in Cuyahoga County."

Strickland has been silent on Gwinn's indictment, and he has refused to call for the resignation of two Cuyahoga County commissioners targeted in an FBI corruption probe, which has also implicated the treasurer of the Ohio Democratic Party.

"Whether it's allegations of vote fraud in Athens or corruption in Cleveland, Ted Strickland is all talk and no action.  It's kind of like saying you're going to turn around Ohio's economy but then losing 340,000 jobs."

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