GOP dues proposal raising questions
Journal-News
By Candice Brooks Higgins
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HAMILTON — After 40 members were purged from the Butler County Republican Party two weeks ago for failing to pay dues, some party members say a pending proposal that suggests elected officeholders pay thousands in contributions to remain in "good standing" is creating a pay-to-play system.
"What I care about is being in good standing with the voters," said county Commissioner Michael Fox. "That to me is the most striking part of this. It just illustrates a value structure that's out of balance. What happened to good old-fashioned public service? Where does that fit into this?"
Extras
Under the proposal, officeholders in the most costly tier, such as the county prosecutor, would pay $5,000 annually, plus 10 percent of campaign funds over $50,000. Officeholders in the least expensive tier, such as judges, would pay $1,500 each year.
Fox would be expected to pay $2,500 each year, plus 10 percent of the campaign funds he raises each year over $25,000. However, Fox said even if the proposal floats, he won't pay.
"I stopped giving to the party when they turned against me," Fox said referring to his last re-election without the party's endorsement.
Fox believes past party chairmen recruited then-state Rep. Gregory Jolivette to run against him in 2004 and groomed Liberty Twp. Fiscal Officer Roger Reynolds to challenge Auditor Kay Rogers in 2006. Immediate past GOP Chairman Carlos Todd has denied these accusations.
Nonetheless, Fox said, the races were divisive, costly for candidates and depleted party resources. Now, rather than giving to the party, Fox said Republican incumbents find no assurance of support from party leaders and "are going out and rasing money on their own to make sure what happened to me and Kay Rogers doesn't happen to them."
Rogers won her fourth term without the party's endorsement in the primary last May and did not receive the GOP's financial support in the general election, those close to her campaign have said.
"I still believe in conservative Republican values and in Republican voters. But I have serious concerns about the current direction of our local party." Rogers said. "I have always believed that a political party is supposed to help candidates and officeholders, not the other way around."
An every-man-for-himself attitude could further totter the party's shaky financial footing when it faces debt from the construction of an $800,000-plus new headquarters in Fairfield Twp. and a $40,000 loan from Todd outstanding. The party's fund balance was $14,768 and its building fund was at $1,091 as of Jan. 31, according to campaign finance records.
"We obviously are looking at ways, like many other political parties, to raise funds," GOP Chairman Tom Ellis said. "We would be remiss if we didn't look to all sources that might consider pledging (funds) to our party."
Ellis said he wouldn't comment further on "any internal polices or suggested proposals," except that contribution levels might be suggested, but not mandated.
Central Committee Chair Judy Shelton said party leaders are merely "exploring" the model used in other counties and a decision wouldn't be made until late this month after they gather more feedback from elected officials.
By Candice Brooks Higgins
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HAMILTON — After 40 members were purged from the Butler County Republican Party two weeks ago for failing to pay dues, some party members say a pending proposal that suggests elected officeholders pay thousands in contributions to remain in "good standing" is creating a pay-to-play system.
"What I care about is being in good standing with the voters," said county Commissioner Michael Fox. "That to me is the most striking part of this. It just illustrates a value structure that's out of balance. What happened to good old-fashioned public service? Where does that fit into this?"
Extras
Under the proposal, officeholders in the most costly tier, such as the county prosecutor, would pay $5,000 annually, plus 10 percent of campaign funds over $50,000. Officeholders in the least expensive tier, such as judges, would pay $1,500 each year.
Fox would be expected to pay $2,500 each year, plus 10 percent of the campaign funds he raises each year over $25,000. However, Fox said even if the proposal floats, he won't pay.
"I stopped giving to the party when they turned against me," Fox said referring to his last re-election without the party's endorsement.
Fox believes past party chairmen recruited then-state Rep. Gregory Jolivette to run against him in 2004 and groomed Liberty Twp. Fiscal Officer Roger Reynolds to challenge Auditor Kay Rogers in 2006. Immediate past GOP Chairman Carlos Todd has denied these accusations.
Nonetheless, Fox said, the races were divisive, costly for candidates and depleted party resources. Now, rather than giving to the party, Fox said Republican incumbents find no assurance of support from party leaders and "are going out and rasing money on their own to make sure what happened to me and Kay Rogers doesn't happen to them."
Rogers won her fourth term without the party's endorsement in the primary last May and did not receive the GOP's financial support in the general election, those close to her campaign have said.
"I still believe in conservative Republican values and in Republican voters. But I have serious concerns about the current direction of our local party." Rogers said. "I have always believed that a political party is supposed to help candidates and officeholders, not the other way around."
An every-man-for-himself attitude could further totter the party's shaky financial footing when it faces debt from the construction of an $800,000-plus new headquarters in Fairfield Twp. and a $40,000 loan from Todd outstanding. The party's fund balance was $14,768 and its building fund was at $1,091 as of Jan. 31, according to campaign finance records.
"We obviously are looking at ways, like many other political parties, to raise funds," GOP Chairman Tom Ellis said. "We would be remiss if we didn't look to all sources that might consider pledging (funds) to our party."
Ellis said he wouldn't comment further on "any internal polices or suggested proposals," except that contribution levels might be suggested, but not mandated.
Central Committee Chair Judy Shelton said party leaders are merely "exploring" the model used in other counties and a decision wouldn't be made until late this month after they gather more feedback from elected officials.
posted by Scott @ 1:16 PM
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