Wilkinson also has this tidbit today:
The Ohio Elections Commission on Thursday found Symmes Township trustee candidate Phil Beck violated election laws.
After hearing a complaint filed against Beck by opponent Eric Minamyer Thursday (Nov. 1), the commission decided Beck had knowingly made a false statement against Minamyer.
The commission decided declaring Beck in violation was penalty enough in this complaint.
Beck claimed that if Minamyer becomes a state representative - a position Minamyer has said he plans to pursue next year - it would cost the residents of Symmes Township $30,000 for a special election to fill his vacancy on the Board of Trustees. Trustee races, however, do not require special elections.
The false claim was broadcast on a local public access channel.
Beck admitted to the error, and said he tried to make up for his mistake in a guest editorial in the Community Press and at a public candidates forum.
This is Beck's first time running for public office. He said he thinks this violation will not affect his campaign.
The interesting thing about this race is that there is a theory floating around that Beck is being supported, directly or indirectly, by Minamyer's opponent for the 35th Ohio House seat, John Rabenold. Now that is totally rumor at this point, but if you start looking at the circumstancial evidence, things start not looking real good for the anti-Minamyer crowd.
