Favorite Partisan Plays

 
Intimidate and Remove Opponents Wear your
Team Jersey		 Selectively
Enforce Rules		 Keep Other Team’s Players Off the Field Make Up New Rules to Benefit Team

 

 

 

Intimidate (& Remove) Your Opponents

Brunner targeted and removed Republican elections officials who dared to criticize her
The Lima News: After disagreeing with Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner regarding the use of paper voting ballots, Hardin County Board of Elections Chairman James Crates was told to find a new job. (“Chairman removed from elections board,” The Lima News, 2/28/08)

The Lima News: Recently Brunner rejected the appointment of Mary Wipert, a Republican, to the Lawrence County Board of Elections and declined the reappointment of Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff to the county elections board. (“Allen elections chief booted off committee: Cunningham says disagreeing cost him,” The Lima News, 2/29/2008)

The Columbus Dispatch: Brunner so far has refused to reappoint, sought to remove or fired at least eight county elections officials — for reasons ranging from improper political activity to failure to follow the law. But critics suggest the real motivation, at least in some cases, was politics or retaliation for dissent — especially against the changes she wants to make in state voting equipment. … Brunner is a Democrat, and most of those removed were Republicans. (“Brunner accused of punishing elections officials,” Mark Niquette, The Columbus Dispatch, 3/9/06)

The Columbus Dispatch: Not only does Brunner want to force changes on elections boards, but her actions also indicate unwillingness to tolerate any dissent. The first Democratic secretary of state in 16 years has refused to reappoint or sought to oust nine county elections officials, including Franklin County’s Matthew Damschroder. All of them, save two Democrats on the Cuyahoga County board, are Republicans. Her heavy-handed tactics expose her to the kind of accusations of partisanship that were heaped on her predecessor, Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell. She appears to be ready to move against any official who disagrees with her. (“Voting reality check,” The Columbus Dispatch, editorial, 3/9/08)

Akron Beacon Journal: After commissioning a report on electronic voting that dwelled on theoretical possibilities of tampering rather than any hard evidence from an Ohio election, Brunner would benefit from the practical advice of experienced election officials. Instead, she appears to have pushed them aside. (“Stifling dissent,” Akron Beacon Journal, editorial, 3/13/08)

The Columbus Dispatch: Even some Democrats say privately that they fear Brunner’s approach is chilling relations between her office and county officials, which could affect the ability to run a smooth election this fall with the world watching. (“Brunner’s approach criticized,” The Columbus Dispatch, 3/9/2008)