GOP losing interest in Ohio - As scandals take toll, national party puts its money elsewhere
Television time is being forsaken for House candidates. And national promotions of the state’s gubernatorial candidate by the Republican Governors Association popped up, then disappeared.
Ohio Republicans are trying to regroup amid a guilty plea Friday by U.S. Rep. Bob Ney in a Washington influence-peddling case and the trial of GOP fundraiser Tom Noe – accused of stealing from a state investment in rare coins – set to begin next week. Their national counterparts are following suit, focusing every last cent on races they believe they can win.
Those include U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine’s seat, which is being hotly contested by U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown; U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce’s seat, which Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy is seeking; and the seat Ney is vacating, which the party hopes state Rep. Joy Padgett can win over Democrat Zach Space.