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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > June > 30 > Entry
Husted defended by Harris
Ohio Senate President Bill Harris released a statement Monday, June 29, supporting Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, who faces an investigation by elections officials over whether he lives at the house in Kettering where he is registered to vote.
State law requires that legislators live in their districts. It would be up to the Ohio Senate to determine if Husted is a 6th District resident or if he should forfeit his seat.
“Jon Husted is a duly elected Senator from Kettering; end of story,” Harris, R-Ashland, said in the written statement. “After eight months of foot dragging and wasting tax dollars, it is time to put an end to this political witch hunt and let Jon Husted get on with the job his constituents elected him to do, especially considering the great challenges this state is facing.”
The news release from Maggie Ostrowski, spokeswoman for the Senate Majority Caucus, also quoted the Ohio Constitution, saying, “Each House shall be the judge of the election, returns, and the qualifications of its own members”. It went on to call the residency investigation “prolonged” and “politically-motivated.”
On Monday the Montgomery County Board of Elections deadlocked along party lines for a second time on the matter of Husted’s residency for voting purposes, again sending the question back to Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat.
The investigation was prompted by two complaints filed last year just prior the the November General Election.
Husted says he lives in Kettering but stays with his wife and children in her Upper Arlington home because the demands of his Statehouse job keep him in Columbus. He said his home is in Kettering and he intends to return there once his public service ends. Husted has been in the legislature since 2001 and is running for secretary of state.
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Comments
By B
July 2, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
wow, so many people who are so wrong on one subject in one place—Husted is an ineligible voter in this district. Period. Cannot be denied in any way shape or form. When he used the homestead exemption on both his Columbus and Kettering properites, he became ineligible in Kettering. And no person who is not a legally registered voter can be a candidate. End of story.By Double Standard
July 1, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this
For years then Sen. Neil Zimmers, a Dem., did the same thing. Lived in Columbus rented in his district. For years the Republican’s used it against him with no success. The law is fuzzy at best on this issue. The voters spoke knowing the issue. Let it rest!By JustDontGet
July 1, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
Whats the big deal —he owns property and pays taxes— lots do the same thing to keep from driving all the time —gives them more time with thier families — and I am a “D” and he was one of the only ones that answered my kids e-mail about her job at the library—lots of these guys share apartments all week to keep from driving everyday—should they be investigated for this — same thing if you ask me —I could care less where they live as long as they do a good job for usBy L Berry
July 1, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
This is one reason the local Democrats can’t win election. They have their priorities in wrong place. Mr Husted was living in Kettering when elected, owns the house there, pays taxes, water etc. And I agree with his reasons for staying in Columbus. I-70 is not a fun place to travel. Democrats, try to win election with real issues like your overspending, ruining the economy, and turning us into Socialist country.By RETIRED SGT
June 30, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
Does Husted OWN property in the district-yes. Does he pay taxes on that property-yes. Has he effectively represented the Kettering area as a Ohio Senator-yes. Coming from somebody who had to live under a residency rule I can tell you it doesnt matter where you lay your head at night, it matters how well you do the job you are supposed to be doing. Husted is doing a good job. Who cares where he sleeps. He is also SAVING the tax payers money by NOT driving 60 miles to Columbus and 60 miles back every day that would be reimbursed as travel expenses, something he doesnt submit now. Also, does Mayor McHat live in Dayton?-nope…..By David
June 30, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
Don Juan… you are wrong. I f you right tell which one and where can a state senator not be a resident of the district he represents? And Gary…You would be a better senator than Mr. Husted. You are a voter who lives in Kettering. We need guys like you. I can not stand liars and cheats. This fellow, Husted is not worthy of the office he is occupying. Whne he says he has the intention to move back to his Kettering home that is not true. His plans are to run for an office that will not require a residency in Kettering if he wins. There are plenty of good solid people who play by the rules. I will shut up now, but this guy just gets under my skin. I don’t respect people who make things up.By Don Juan
June 30, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
As a Democrat, I think this is all baloney. Several other states don’t require their reps to actually live in the district. Sen. Husted, although he’s from a different party than me, has been an advocate for the Dayton area as well as political moderation. I don’t know if he lives in the district or not, and I suppose he should resign if he’s not following the letter of the law. But really, I think this is all a little pointless and silly.By David
June 30, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
Why is it if you want complaince with the law you are accused of partisan leanings? There is no way Kettering, Centerville , Washington Twp will elect anything but a Repubilican, it just needs to be a person who lives here. This is so simple. His arguments are not based on merits. Since when did owning an empty house qualify a person for office?By gary
June 30, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this
David and Jess, it’s obvious you are both Democrats. The people (all of us) had the chance to cast our vote. I did and I chose my personal preference based on what I have experienced in the past. Mr Husted and I have similar beliefs which I’m sure neither of you share with me. Suck it up because in about 18 months the tables will be turned.By Jesse
June 30, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this
Husted is breaking the rule as stated. He knows it- we all know it. He has not intention of returning to that Kettering house when his “public service time ends.” He intends to be on the public payroll for as long as he can. And,he will because he has a lot of people fooled as to his interest. Hard working: I don’t think so.By David
June 30, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
If he lives in Kettering then I live in Columbus. He is an embarrassment. You are elected where you live. He is abusing the law. He is just doing this because he can get away with it.By Who Dey
June 30, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Why are people in Dayton so offended by this? They should feel fortunate to be represented by someone as hard-working as Jon Husted.