BY
Billboards are going up around Ohio this week that use a quote attributed to State Treasurer Ken Blackwell to question his candidacy for secretary of state.
Financed by the Ohio Democratic Party, the black-and-white billboards trumpet a quote from a Jan. 25 column in the Dayton Daily News that Mr. Blackwell denies uttering.
In the column, Mr. Blackwell is quoted as saying, "The only thing worse than running for secretary of state would be being secretary of state."
The Democratic billboards, one of which faces south at the corner of Gilbert Avenue and Kenton Street, add a more direct assessment: "He doesn't want the job!"
Mr. Blackwell faces State Rep. Charleta Tavares, D-Columbus, in the Nov. 3 election. Although he made no secret that he preferred to run for governor this year, he denies saying the words attributed to him.
In a statement, the Blackwell campaign accused Ms. Tavares of breaking her pledge to avoid negative campaign attacks, even though her campaign isn't directly responsible for the billboards. "Ken Blackwell has presented a comprehensive plan for the future of the secretary of state's office, focusing on lobbyist ethics reform, job creation and technological improvements," said spokesman Dana Walch. "To claim that he does not want to be secretary of state is ridiculous."
Identical billboards are going up in Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Toledo.
GOP urges no vote
The Hamilton County Republican Party is urging voters to reject Issue 11, the measure to create a county charter to force the construction of a new Reds ballpark at Broadway Commons.
The party's policy committee endorsed that position Monday night, making it the party's position, said party chairman Mike Allen.
"We had a good cross-section of party people there, and I feel like both sides had a good airing," Mr. Allen said. Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin, a longtime Broadway supporter, spoke in favor of Issue 11. Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus, who favors the riverfront site, spoke against it.
"A pretty strong concern was the issue of charter government," Mr. Allen said, adding that Mr. Dowlin assured the group that county government would not be altered by the measure if passed.
Broadway campaign coordinator Melisa Rottinghaus noted that Mr. Bedinghaus "is on the policy committee. So figure it out." Mr. Allen said Mr. Bedinghaus didn't vote. The Broadway campaign says that site could save $60 million.
The Campaign Notebook is compiled by staff of The Cincinnati Enquirer and runs Tuesday-Saturday.
