More Ohio Democrat Lies in Ads Getting the OEC Treatment

Release:

COLUMBUS—Last week, bus drivers, parents, community members and other residents of the 46th Ohio House District spoke out against a false political advertisement that is now the subject of an elections complaint before the Ohio Elections Commission. State Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Twp) today filed an elections complaint against the House Democratic Caucus Fund, candidate for District 46 Harry Barlos, candidate for District 50 Todd Bosley, and each of their campaign committees.



The complaint charges that the House Democratic Caucus Fund and the two Democratic candidates lied in two televisions ads, which accuse Rep. Sears and her colleague, State Rep. Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown), of voting to allow schools to hire as bus drivers criminals convicted of molesting and abusing children. However, prior to House Bill 19, the measure in question, criminals convicted of molesting and abusing children were already prevented from being school bus drivers. Therefore, the television advertisements, blatantly lie about the effects of HB 19 on restrictions on hiring school bus drivers.

“This legislation actually weakened the restrictions on convicted criminals who could become school bus drivers,” said Sears. “I find it extremely disappointing and, quite frankly, insulting that the my opponent and his allies would spread blatant lies about this legislation in order to win an election—even if it means spreading fear throughout our communities. As a mother, there is nothing more important than ensuring that our neighborhoods are safe for our children, and I know that my colleague Rep. Snitchler, who is a father, feels the same way.”


A Toledo-area Channel 13 ABC “Truth Test” segment investigated the dubious claims made against Rep. Sears and concluded that they had no basis and were in fact false.