I don't know what percentage of the Summit County Central Committee 147 represents, but I suspect that it is a pretty hefty percentage.Survey reveals widespread dissatisfaction
Recently, the New Summit Republicans mailed a survey to the members of the Summit County Republican Central Committee. The central committee is the governing body of the party. 147 central committee members responded. The responses indicate widepread dissatisfaction with the current party leadership. Here are highlights of the survey results:
Question: Generally speaking, what do you believe is most important when measuring the success of the Summit County Republican Party - number of elections won or amount of money raised?
Not a single member of the central committee answered that the amount of money raised is most important when measuring the success of the party. 95% said that the number of elections won was most important. 5% did not answer.
Current GOP Chairman Alex Arshinkoff touts his fundraising prowess when defending his leadership. That's all well and good, but when you win 6 races and lose 42 over the last four years, it doesn't add up.
Question: As a member of the party’s central committee, have you felt included in the process of running the party?
67% of the respondents said they did not feel included in the process of running the party.
Question: Do you feel you are adequately informed by the party about candidates, strategy, issues, party activities, etc.?
61% said they were not well informed by the party on candidates, strategy, and party happenings.
In direct response to this critique, Arshinkoff has been reaching out to central committee members and meeting with many for the first time ever. We find that to be funny, and too little too late.
Question: I believe the Summit County Republican Party should...
• 78.5% said spend less money on overhead and more on winning races
• 83% said develop more candidates for office and encourage new talent
• 59.5% said stop cutting deals with the Democrats to leave candidates unopposed
• 76% said treat government workers, candidates, officeholders, and party activists with respect
Question: Is the Summit County Republican Party accomplishing these things now?
Only 5% of the central committee members who responded said the party was accomplishing these things now. 57.5% said it was not, while 37.5% did not know.
The survey reflects a vote of no confidence in Alex Arshinkoff's leadership and in the performance of the party under his rule. We have been critical of Arshinkoff's spending habits. True, he has raised $742,000 this year. But $600,000 of that was budgeted for "headquarters operational overhead." With the news last week that the party may be broke and has taken a $100,000 loan, the party faithful have reason to be concerned.
$1,000 a month for a Cadillac Escalade? $6,683.97 worth of meals at a posh downtown restaurant in 2006? Paying for Arshinkoff's $5,007.89 tab at Portage Country Club? Opulent hotels and restaurants in Washington DC on a recurring basis?
Had that money been spent on winning elections, perhaps the Summit County Republican Party would be in better shape today. And perhaps the party faithful wouldn't be so disappointed in Alex Arshinkoff.
I support reform that places winning elections over raising funds. It is time we put our money to better use. And it is time we start fighting back against Democrats instead of making deals with them.
There is at least one lesson in this for other county parties and that is this: If Ohio Republicans are to regain what we lost in the last election cycle, we need to get focused on issues while we weed out the rot that has infested our party. You can either get on board with that agenda or get left behind.
