Butler County GOP denies insolvency

Butler County and Republican Party Treasurer Nancy Nix says the Party is not broke and always pays its bills in full, including rent on its office space.

The Butler County Democratic Party on Friday announced their rivals had been kicked out of their headquarters at Bridgewater Falls last week because of a “lack of funds.” Nix said they have not moved out, the rent is paid through August and they have always paid their bills.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s website shows the GOP had $588 in the bank as of July and the party had been paying $2,724.62 for the office space officials rent at Bridgewater Falls Shopping Center in Fairfield Twp., according to past statements.

Nix said they have five funds, but only the state and restricted funds are filed with the secretary of state.

“Most of our activity is out of the executive fund and that is filed with the (Butler County) Board of Elections,” she said. “To look at just the secretary of state website, it is like 2 percent of our activity.”

GOP Executive Committee Chairman Dave Kern also denied the claims the party is broke. He said the GOP has paid its rent in full but is “looking at all of its options” for office space.

David Birdsall, who is in charge of leasing at Bridgewater Falls, said the GOP has been a wonderful tenant. He denied the Democrats’ claims that the GOP was kicked out.

“That’s absolutely not true,” he said. “Absolutely, unequivocally, 100 percent not true.”

He said he believes their lease is coming to an end and they may want to find cheaper office space, but he hopes they will stay.

Dave Spurrier, a spokesman for the Democrats, said they had no comment.

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