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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > June > 20 > Entry
Bloody GOP battle averted
By announcing this week he will not run for U.S. Congress, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones averted an epic political battle some worried would have split GOP ranks.
Butler County Republican Party Chairman Tom Ellis breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news. The last thing he wanted was for the Republican sheriff to face off in a primary against U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp.
“We simply didn’t want to alienate any members of our party and I was concerned that anything of this level, of this magnitude…would have long lasting effects of divisiveness and alienation at a time when we need to be working together as a team and coming together for the party,” Ellis said.
The timing of Jones’ announcement surprised many party insiders. The sheriff pulled petitions to run in April and was saying only a week ago he wouldn’t decide whether to file for months.
He was making the rounds on the radio talk show circuit. “If I become a candidate, I will be a contender in this race,” he told 700 WLW host Bill Cunningham earlier this month.
The announcement itself came via the social networking Web site Twitter, followed by a press release saying the county needed him as sheriff and this was not the time to run. Jones then went on vacation and was unavailable for comment.
Boehner’s office did not release a statement on Jones bowing out.
But political analysts had noted that a contentious race in his district would have distracted him from leading his party to take back the U.S. House. That is now no longer an issue.
“We are just relieved and we respect (Jones’) decision,” Ellis said.
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Comments
By Fearless
June 20, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
I recall Boehner was born with “silver spoon in mouth”, plus other monies from “you know where”. Could he have paid off Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones?Richard
By Carol
June 20, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this
It is unfortunate that Tom Ellis thinks it is a good thing that Boehner doesn’t have competition for his job. After all Boehner seems to have fortgotten
By Carol
June 20, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
sorry for the error above. “Boehner seems to have forgotten” that he was elected to represent the people who elected him. He deals only with the party line of “no.”
By Carol
June 20, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
sorry for the error above. “Boehner seems to have forgotten” that he was elected to represent the people who elected him. He deals only with the party line of “no.”
By w
June 21, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
keep up the good work john——there are a lot of whiners on both sides of the line—-
By Frankie
June 22, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
Boehner dug up some dirt on our great sheriff and scared him out of the race.
By backroomdeal
June 22, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
Now now, you know the GOP doesn’t have public fights. They would have gone behind closed doors and worked a deal for all parties. One would have gotten the job the other a promise for future jobs. It’s how the GOP works ask Combs, Jolivettee, and D’epifanio. Deals deals deals.
By Bill
June 22, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
Congressman Boehner’s dad ran a saloon and he has 11 brothers and sisters…Silver spoon? I don’t think so. And anyone that would rather be represented by Jones than Boehner has never met them. One is polished, intelligent, well spoken, and impressive; the other is the sheriff.
By Tony
June 22, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
The big and powerful of the Republican Party has offered to support Big Rick for county commissioner rather than supporting the Hot Dog Salesman for reelection.