OEC Exposes Democrats’ Defamation Of State Reps Sears and Snitchler

Release:

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Elections Commission today ruled that the smear campaigns launched by the House Democratic Caucus Fund against Reps. Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Twp) and Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown) are false. The ruling discredited the Democrats’ claims that, in opposing House Bill 19, Sears and Snitchler voted to allow child molesters and sex offenders to work as school bus drivers. The House Democratic Caucus Fund agreed to a stipulation that they violated the false statement statute in lying about the voting records of Rep. Sears and Rep. Snitchler.

“The Democrats have shown that they know no bounds when it comes to their dirty gutter politics,” said Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee director Mike Dittoe. “All they’ve done is waste time by distracting from the facts.”
Sears filed the elections complaint on the grounds that the House Democratic Caucus lied in two television ads. Contrary to these ads, prior to HB 19, criminals who were convicted of molesting and abusing children were already prevented from being school bus drivers. House Bill 19 actually weakened the restrictions on convicted criminals who could pose a threat to Ohio’s schoolchildren.

“I’m pleased that the OEC cleared my and Rep. Snitchler’s names and provided the people of Ohio with accurate information,” said Sears. “As a mother, there is nothing more important than protecting our children and keeping our communities safe. Fear mongering should not have been used to try to frighten parents and sway their votes.”