Ohio House Repubs Say Advertisements Instill Fear in Ohioans; May Be Coordinated Attacks

Release:

COLUMBUS –Two weeks before one of the most influential mid-term elections in a generation, an organization known as “Our Future Ohio” has surfaced in Ohio to benefit struggling Democratic candidates throughout the state.

“Ohio has a new ominous hazard that will assist the Ohio Democrats' efforts to steal the election from voters who have had enough of their oppression,” said House Republican leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “Questions need to be answered about this threat. How did “Our Future Ohio” file on a Thursday and have fully produced political ads just two days later?”
To date, the group has spent more than $2.3 million to attack leading gubernatorial candidate John Kasich and Ohio House candidates Matt Carle and Ron Young. “Our Future Ohio” has named Alan Melamed as their spokesman. Melamed is the President of Melamed Communications, and the company’s website lists the House Democratic Caucus and Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) as clients.
“This reeks of impropriety surrounded with so many questions that the public should know,” said Asst. Leader Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati). “Coordinated expenditures between a corporate-funded PAC and candidates is illegal. The facts remain; Mr. Melamed, a self-proclaimed “chief strategist” for the Speaker, House Democratic Caucus and Melamed Communications, has been paid as a vendor by the House Democratic Caucus and House Democratic campaigns.”
Batchelder further stated that the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee intends to file an elections complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission against “Our Future Ohio” and the House Democratic Caucus for illegal coordination. He expressed great concern and urgency that Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner institute her own investigation into this scandal.