By Ashley McCarty
Champion Media
Conflict between three Republican candidates for State Representative District 66 seat in Ohio was apparent during a candidates forum Wednesday.
State Rep. Doug Green, Republican, currently holds the District 66 seat, which encompasses all of Brown County, as well as southeastern Clermont County but cannot run for reelection because of Ohio’s term limit laws. Vying for the seat in the primaries are Nick Owens, Adam Bird and Allen Freeman, also all Republicans. No Democrats have filed for the seat.
Contention between the candidates arose when they were prompted to dispute mailed campaign literature. The tarnishing content was funded by the Growth and Opportunity Pac, Inc., whose address is listed as a post office box in Columbus, Ohio. The only candidates who the mailers targeted were Owens and Bird.
While the two candidates laughed off the accusations and discredited their claims, Freeman seemed to be in the hot seat.
“Allen, before I wanted to get to that, it’s the elephant in the room — if we’re supposed to vote no for Nick and Adam, then clearly these people are supporting you, so what is your position?” said Brown County Press and News Democrat Editor Wayne Gates, moderator.
Freeman said the group hadn’t exactly endorsed him or sent out mailers on his behalf. Owens was quick to point out that the televised ads were certainly on Freeman’s behalf. Freeman joked that if he were the one doing those commercials, he would have chosen better pictures of himself.
“At the end of the day, I have not [received] an endorsement from that group, I don’t know who that group is, other than what I hear from the gentlemen sitting next to me. Unfortunately, I think it’s the regrettable nature of politics these days, where the negative is what plays,” said Freeman.
Freeman said the direct mail pieces he’s sent out have all been positive, talking about economic development, growth and opportunity.
“That’s where I continue to try and stay. I’ll tell you gentleman, I don’t even mention your names when I’m out on the campaign trail, so I’m not the one that’s banging on your door. That group is, so you need to talk to them,” said Freeman.
Gates asked if Freeman would repudiate the facts, then. Freeman did not, though he said these forums were an excellent recourse that gives each candidate a way to “set the record straight.”
“Wayne I would take that answer as a no. You asked him the question, ‘does he repudiate the attacks,’ I didn’t hear a yes, so I assume a no,” said Owens.
Gates then asked Freeman if he would like to take the opportunity to tell the group to stop acting on his behalf if he truly had nothing to do with them.
“Well at the end of the day, it is their free speech to do it,” said Freeman.
“You can ask them to stop Allen, come on. Do it, right now,” said Owens.
“I can ask them to stop, Nick, but you know as well as anybody Nick, these are all based on what you call ‘dark money,’ but they’re called 501 C (6), they’re legal, they’re allowed to do it and it’s their constitutional right to do it,” said Freeman.
“Denounce them then, Allen. It is constitutional, it was constitutional because of Citizen’s United, but denounce it tonight,” said Owens. Freeman asked why.
“Because you’re being bought and paid for,” said Owens. Freeman denounced that, saying it was easy for Owens to say, but it wasn’t a fact.
Bird took the opportunity while Owens was having microphone difficulties to tell people to vote for the candidate who best represent District 66 and its issues.
“Do not vote for a candidate who is beholden to the speaker of the house. I was endorsed in Clermont County, I attempted to be endorsed here in Brown, but I’ve been out working to be endorsed. If I’m endorsed as a Republican, I’m Republican endorsed, I am beholden to Republicans in District 66. But, if I am endorsed by the speaker of the house, and don’t repudiate ‘dark money’ that’s being spent, to the tune of half a million dollars, then now I’m beholden to the speaker of the house,” said Bird.
Ownes then said “You know how we validate who is bought and paid for? You can go on the secretary of state’s website right now, look up three campaign finance accounts, and you will see Mr. Bird’s, you’ll see mine and you’ll see Mr. Freeman’s. You know where Mr. Freeman’s lists his address as? Columbus. Enough said,”
Freeman again said that these forums were a way to “wash this out.”
Freeman, Owens and Bird then said their closing statements.
Senate District 14 incumbent Terry Johnson, Republican, did not show up to debate with rival Republican candidate David Uible.
Other candidates speaking at the forum included:
Incumbent Brown County Commissioner Daryll Gray, Republican, rival candidates Thomas Mayes, Republican, Dave Daniel, Republican and Woody Whittington, Republican.
Matthew Byrne, Republican candidate for Ohio 12th District Court of Appeals and David Uible, candidate for State Senate District 14 also spoke. Uible’s opponent, incumbent State Senator Terry Johnson, did not attend the forum.
Incumbent Brown County Recorder Amy DeClaire, Republican, and rival candidate Vicki Worley, Republican.
The event was broadcast by C103 FM.
The entire event can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Ytv2NuUUY.