From the Brinkman campaign via the WMD Mailbag:
Cincinnati- State Representative Tom Brinkman addressed a crowd of supporters at Hamilton
County Republican Party headquarters today and expressed his strong support for Bob
McEwen for Congress. In addition he announced his candidacy for a fourth and final term in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Brinkman said, “I strongly considered running for Congress because we must do so much better in Washington than our current Representative. I talked to friends and supporters and even did a poll. The results were that Jean Schmidt’s vote in favor of every tax and spending increase in Columbus was the reason the voters of southern Ohio selected Tom Niehaus as their State Senator instead of Jean. Her constant support for new taxes is costing us jobs in Ohio. The 2nd Congressional District wants a Member of Congress much more in tune with their values.
Her reputation in Columbus as someone who refused to listen to taxpayers is now injuring us in Washington. It is clear to me that should Jean Schmidt be the Republican nominee for Congress that, coupled with the effort the Democrats are making in Ohio Congressional races, she can not hold the seat for the Republicans. As the poll her taxpayer-funded office provided to the media states, 49% of REPUBLICANS will vote for anyone other than Mrs. Schmidt. This is catastrophic for those of us who believe in limited government and lower taxes.
Bob McEwen, like Rob Portman, is the mirror opposite of Jean Schmidt. His distinguished experience in Washington and Ohio will afford us a Congressman with the respect and seniority to pick up where Rob left off. For that reason and dozens more I will work diligently to elect Bob our Congressman. When you run against a person in a political campaign you get to see them from all sides. You learn more about them than even some of their closest friends.
As a result of seeing him up close and hearing his heart for our country, I have grown to admire and deeply respect Bob McEwen. He is a man of honor and integrity. His consistent voting record is prolife, pro second amendment and pro-limited government and taxes. He votes my values and those who I am privileged to represent.
I have also learned to appreciate his wife Liz and their family. I believe that his son’s current service in the Marines is testimony to the love the McEwen family has for our country.
As I campaigned throughout the 2nd district I learned how many appreciated Bob McEwen’s service to them. He was a great Representative to Congress for southern Ohio. As he begins his seventh term next January Bob’s experience and distinguished leadership will put us back on the road toward the respect we have grown to expect from our Congressman.”
In discussing his decision, Brinkman added, “We have many challenges and opportunities to deal with in Columbus. Most importantly, we need to get state spending under control. I only have one term left in the House and would like for my legacy to be that we have reduced the state’s burden on the taxpayers.”
I have established a new standard of cooperation between local officials and their State Representative. I believe that my willingness to be here at home each night has enabled me to faithfully attend township and council meetings throughout the 34th district.
