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Internal strife for county GOP

Tom Ellis

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 9:28 PM Monday, November 2, 2009

HAMILTON — Political civil war has broken out within the Butler County Republican Party over who should get the party’s endorsement for county commissioner this week.

In addition to candidates themselves sending out fliers and videos, anonymous surrogates are waging negative campaigns using blogs, e-mails and Web videos.

Over the weekend, two e-mails went out masquerading as party leadership and using the party’s e-mail address.

Using the names “Butler County GOP” and “Real ButlerCty GOP,” the e-mailers spread information critical of two leading candidates: former West Chester Twp. trustee Jose Alvarez and Clerk of Courts Cindy Carpenter.

The first e-mail included copies of posts from a local blog that accuses prominent elected county officials of forming a back-room “cabal” to thwart the democratic process and steer the party toward endorsing Alvarez. Blogger Matt Hurley has claimed no involvement in the e-mail.

The second e-mail included an on old news video questioning whether Carpenter’s employees engaged in political activities on county time during a political rally years ago.

County GOP Chairman Tom Ellis denounced the e-mails — apparently sent to the thousands of people on the party’s confidential e-mail list — Sunday, Nov. 1.

“Someone is deceiving our membership by sending these unsolicited e-mails. That isn’t acceptable in business and will not be tolerated by our Party,” Ellis said. “We will protect our members, our community, and the GOP brand. We are investigating these incidents and pursuing every avenue, including legal remedies. This attempted deceit will stop.”

In addition to Alvarez and Carpenter, candidates include incumbent Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, Treasurer Nancy Nix and Hamilton resident Wes Retherford.

All five will appear before the party’s massive central committee Thursday, Nov. 5, seeking a majority of the party’s support through several rounds of run-off voting.

Historically, candidates who do not get the party’s endorsement don’t run in the primary. But Jolivette — who came under fire from his party when the Ohio Ethics Commission confirmed it was investigating him voting on jobs for his children — has said he’ll run even without the party’s nod.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

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I recently had the opportunity to meet with a young man named Wes Retherford who is running next year for the commissioners spot. He isn’t getting a lot of attention cause he isn’t a Good Ol Boy insider. You need to give him a shot. He’s got the right ideals and values and is truly concerned about the people. He is a regular citizen and working man with a family that actually knows what it is like to worry about bills and putting food on the table. He’s a good guy from what I can tell

Robert Z Wagoner
12:49 PM, 11/3/2009

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Did the GOP endorse Kay Rogers & Mike Fox? All these candidates want is the $$ associated with the endorsement. Put hard caps on all spending associated with any political office and endorsements may mean something. All it means currently is that GOP will help outspend the other candidate. Perhaps some day representation by the people for the people will mean something again. Representation now consists of career politicians unfit for public sector jobs catering to whomever will give them $

Ted
10:07 AM, 11/3/2009

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I’m still laughing that Tom Ellis is concerned about and wants to protect the GOB Brand. If that’s true then why didn’t he resign after making money off the party when the headquarters was sold? One question is anyone knows, how much does it cost to be one the “Executive Committee”?

Just a lowly voter
9:47 AM, 11/3/2009

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As a life long Republican I'm tired of the GOP. Who cares who you endores. It's time to stop the nonsense. Look at the 23rd district race in New York. Makes Newt look mighty stupid. Find out what voters really want. Things are going to change. Politics as usual will not stand.

Tired of GOP politics
9:22 AM, 11/3/2009

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I find it amusing how someone like yourself who claim's to be a gosh darn all-knowing USMC kinda guy, thinks all them Democrats are just a bunch of cowardly spineless pinko commies. Maybe it's the amount of muscle between you ears. Thanks for your service but I don't recall everyone who I served with being a hard-right wing wack-job.

Back to USMC
8:17 AM, 11/3/2009

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