In ORP Civil War, Why Is Team Kasich Thinking of Elevating Benedict Arnolds?

If we can assume that the source(s) of our good friend Justin Higgins can be believed, Team Kasich is now floating such highly respected conservatives such as...wait for it...Betty Montgomery and Jo Ann Davidson for the post of...wait for it...Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.

Now if grassroots conservatives and activists were put off by Bouncin' Bob McEwen, Franklin County GOP Chair Doug Preisse, and Summit County Party don Alex Arshinkoff, what could possibly lead this brain trust to think that we'd appreciate having our party lead by one of these two turncoats?

STOP THE INSANITY

ORP Civil War Update

Over at 3BP, Bytor has the latest news that has shocked the Great State of Beautiful Ohio. Apparently, seven Republican county party chairmen of predominately democratic areas of the state have demanded that Kevin DeWine (aka, the Devil We Know) step down immediately.

My gut reaction to this missive is pretty close to Maggie Thurber's. I don't approve of county chairmen using their titles to make statements regarding internal political problems when the county parties haven't weighed in on the subject. It is arrogant presumption on their part to do so.

And what of the other county party chairmen? Doesn't Butler get a say in this? How about Brown County? Were they even asked or is this just about the blue parts of the state getting a say?

Furthermore, I believe it is unwise to force DeWine out until we know who Team Kasich wants to replace him with in the position. There are reasons why I call him the Devil We Know and until someone is properly vetted, I can't in good conscience recommend that Kevin step aside.

As stated previously, the names we have heard in the various trial balloons have all been unacceptable. I don't think it is too much to ask, at least of these seven guys, just who they intend to back as a replacement.

Gentlemen?

Bottom line: I'm getting that "We're about to get screwed" sort of disturbance in the Force feeling...

Arshinkoff Endorses Morgan

Release:

Huber Heights, Ohio - Alex Arshinkoff, Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party and statewide Republican leader, has endorsed Seth Morgan for Auditor of State.

"Seth clearly is the most qualified candidate to be Ohio's next auditor. He espouses many of Mary Taylor's qualities as a state auditor candidate, and voters made it clear in 2006 having a CPA as their fiscal watchdog is important. Seth is a fresh face with bold ideas, and the excitement his campaign is generating is just what our ticket needs to beat the Democrats in the fall," said Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff.

"I'm honored to have the public support of Chairman Arshinkoff," said Seth Morgan, CPA. "Alex is a longstanding, respected leader within the Republican establishment here in Ohio, and to gain his endorsement is truly exciting for this campaign and adds to my campaigns broad support throughout Ohio."

Alex Arshinkoff is largely considered to be the leading county party chairman in Ohio, and has served in that position for 33 years. Chairman Arshinkoff made his first run for office at age 18, while a student at The University of Akron, seeking election to the City Council's 5th Ward in Akron. At age 23, he became one of the youngest county Republican chairman in Ohio.

Seth Morgan, CPA was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2008 after serving seven years on the Huber Heights City Council. He is a Small Business Owner and Certified Public Accountant. For more information about Seth Morgan visit www.SethMorgan.org.

UPDATE: Previously on WMD: Mike DeWine and Alex Arshinkoff

Another Theory on Kasich-Taylor

If this scenario turns out to be the truth, I'm going to have to apologize to Chairman DeWine...

This one has some odd logic to it, but bear with me for a minute...

One of Team Kasich's more well known staffers is Doug Preisse. Doug is connected -- as is Mary Taylor -- to Alex Arshinkoff.

Is it possible that Alex is -- once again -- behind the scenes pulling strings? If so, this would be a disaster of biblical proportions because the very last guy we need John Kasich owing favors to is Alex Arshinkoff.

As much as I despised Bob Bennett, Alex Arshinkoff is every bit as bad (if not actually worse) and the party really needs to rid itself of these shady characters rather than embracing them.

More food for thought...

UPDATE: Scott Pullins is hearing that kasich-Taylor is the fault of...Kasich-Taylor. Specifically, that Taylor felt as if the ORP wasn't supporting her sufficiently and took the easy way out. Once again, if this is true, my opinion of Taylor just sank another notch.

Mike DeWine and Alex Arshinkoff

In the comments of this post (although I think the comment fits better with this post from earlier the same day), reader Hogan writes:

[DeWine]'s been Arshinkoff's most loyal water carrier and would allow Arshinkoff to pick the law firms that get special counsel work from the AG.

In the past, Arshinkoff has demanded ten percent of their contract with the state.

Also, DeWine actually has had Arshinkoff on his campaign payroll. It's in his FEC campaign finance records.

Let's work backwards... Here we see that Alex has contributed to Mike DeWine before. No bomb shells there, most party officials will have donated to someone of DeWine's position. The FEC site is vast and I was unable to locate records that Arshinkoff worked for DeWine's campaigns, but that also wouldn't surprise me. (That doesn't mean that those records don't exist, just that I wasn't able to find them in the short time I had to look for them.) UPDATE: This Cleveland Scene piece refers to Arshinkoff as having been on DeWine's payroll (amongst other unsavory items...).

I was similarly unable to locate "proof" of the ten percent claim, but I do know that Arshinkoff's name has been bandied about in the "pay-to-play" scandals involving Jim Petro [alternate link - Thanks Margaret!]. Near as I can tell, Arshinkoff was anti-Petro in that one. But there are plenty of stories in the Cleveland Scene piece to illustrate that Arshinkoff's involvement in statewide power is not a situation that we ought to see repeated.

Would Mike DeWine allow Alex Arshinkoff to pick which law firms get business and which don't? It appears that Betty Montgomery did... If the very thought that Arshinkoff could get his grubby little hands on the Attorney General's office isn't enough for good Republicans to reject Mike DeWine for the office, I don't know what will.

Arshinkoff Wins; Ohio Republicans Lose

Ben Keeler has the details in a post over at The Point, but I wanted to address a few things here as well. Read Ben's stuff first...

Now, let's start with the statement from Carol Klinger:

"My thanks to all who have supported the effort to get our Republican Party winning again. While we would have preferred a different outcome at tonight's Central Committee meeting, we are generally pleased with our showing. A significant block of committee members are in place who want to take our party into the future with new leadership. We will build on this success as we continue our effort. This campaign to change the party leadership started with nothing. We enter the next round with much more.

There are things we wished would have been different about tonight's meeting. Free and open discussion on the proposed party rules was squashed. A straight matchup between myself and Alex Arshinkoff was denied. And Mr. Arshinkoff was elected Central Committee chairman, despite not being an elected member of the committee.

We will continue to press for needed reforms within the local party organization and make the case for fresh new leadership. We will also continue to support Republicans candidates running for office.

To all who have stepped up and given their voice to the cause, I say thank you and look forward to our continued efforts to make the Summit County Republican Party an organization in which we can all be proud."

The New Summit Republicans have shown poise and class throughout this whole ordeal. They just didn't have enough forces to close the deal, as Ben pointed out.

I think that the New Summit Republican model is the right way to go about effecting the kind of change we've been seeking in the Ohio Republican Party. I suspect that the New Summit Republican effort will grow in strength and influence assuming that they continue their efforts to expose the corruption and shady dealings going on up there.

Ben makes a point that I want to emphasize here:

[F]ar too many precinct captains were afraid to change the status quo of the party. They didn't want to lose their positions and/or connections, and I guess you can't really blame them for that.

This is the biggest challenge that any reform movement is going to face. And it will be a slow process convincing those who have been around awhile to accept change. The Republican Party has never been quick to embrace change and expecting to have that happen in a single cycle was probably a bigger mission than the NSR's were capable of taking on, but I salute them for trying. My hope is that the NSR's will carry on and attempt to recruit new candidates for Central Committee that are dedicated to the idea of reform while continuing to change the minds of those on the fence who went with the status quo simply because they feared change.

The forces of change do not run quick. The NSR's should feel proud of the accomplishments thus far and hold their heads high as they take on the challenges that now lie ahead of them. Arshinkoff was on the ropes, but he slipped away this time. With any luck whatsoever, he will have learned his lessons and will fly straight; but if not, the NSR's ought to unite the forces that they can and do whatever they can to bring the party back on the right track.

Ultimately, this is a story about vigilance and perseverance. Arshinkoff may have won this battle, but I suspect the outcome of the war is yet to be determined. And I'm not talking just about Summit County. The NSR's have represented what I believe to be a fledgling movement of conservative Republicans who are fed up with the nonsense in the Ohio Republican Party and aren't going to take it anymore. I've been covering troubles all over Ohio with county parties, including my own, and my hope is that there will be good Republicans ready to take on the status quo in those areas and demand change occur. Rank and file Republicans who are not a part of the party structure are becoming disenchanted with the way things are being run and they will either sit it out when we need them, vote with their feet, or vote Democrat to "teach a lesson." We must do something because the same old tricks are no longer working.

Coughlin Letter to Summit County GOP Central Committee

This just in...

Dear Fellow Central Committee Member,

Recently, Carol Klinger sent you a copy of her proposed Articles of Regulation for the Summit County Republican Party for your consideration. This week, Alex Arshinkoff followed suit and issued his own version of party rules. Make no mistake - the rules proposed by Carol Klinger:

• Keep the basic powers of the party in the hands of the duly-elected Central Committee;

• Allow for greater participation in the party;

• Guarantee a secret ballot in all votes all party officers;

• Guarantee a vote on the party chairmanship by the duly elected Central Committee;

• Provide fiscal and ethical accountability.

The rules proposed by Alex Arshinkoff violate the spirit of all we are trying to improve in the party. His proposed Code of Regulations:

• Denies the Central Committee its right to elect the party chair/Executive Committee chair. Arshinkoff declined to run for reelection to the Central Committee, denying voters in his precinct a referendum on his leadership. Now he is trying to avoid a straight up or down vote on his leadership by the governing committee of the party. (Page 12, 5.7(a)(i)

• Allows for Arshinkoff to weasel his way out ofsecret ballotillg in elections for party officers. (Page 19, Section 8.7(b» What does it meall to you that Alex Arshinkoff fears a secret ballot? The media and even his own supporters publicly admit that Arshinkoff cannot win if the votes are conducted by secret ballot.

• Hands over the power to Arshinkoff's hand-picked Executive Committee to fill vacancies on Central Committee and in candidate races and public offices, and to endorse in all races. These are basic powers that should be reserved to the duly-elected Central Committee. Otherwise, we're just here to hand over all the power and go home for the next two years;

• Seeks to exclude individuals from serving in party leadership, limiting the talent pool from which we can select. Arshinkoff's rules would bar any public official, anyone working at one specific law firm, and anyone with a job, from being Central or Executive Committee chair. On that last note, I would call your attention to the fact that Stark County Republicans have just named the deputy director of their Board of Elections as party chairman. He will work 9-5 at the Board and fulfill his party obligations around his work schedule. Stark County, incidentally, is a far more successful county party by every measure.

• Locks the party into the current headquarters location for no apparent reason.

These proposed rules should be viewed for what they are - an attempt to solidify Alex Arshinkoff's grip on the party organization and continue business as usual.

As we come together Wednesday evening, let us remember that as members of the Central Committee, we are the governing body ofthe Summit County Republican Party. This important power is granted by Ohio law. The committee has the freedom to organize the party in any way it deems appropriate.

I would urge you to speak up and:

• Demand a secret ballot and a fairly-run meeting;

• Resist Alex's demand that we vote our power to govern the party away to his hand-picked clique.

• Vote for reform-minded candidates to party leadership;

• Adopt Articles ofRegulation that truly change our party for the better, allow more people to direct the party, and create real accountability.

Kindest regards,
Kevin Coughlin
State Senator

Arshinkoff Bullies Local Business Owner

This just in...

AKRON, OH - The Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party has threatened to cancel the party's Central Committee organizational meeting at Akron's Tangier restaurant if his rival for the chairmanship is allowed to hold a reception on site.

Alex Arshinkoff called Tangier owner Ed George today, saying he would pull the Central Committee event scheduled for Wednesday March 30 unless George cancelled rival Carol Klinger's reception, scheduled just before the Central Committee meets. George informed Klinger by phone that her event was being cancelled.

Let's review Alex Arshinkoff's recent desperation moves:

• He has denied using party money for his desperate attempt to cling to power, then has turned around and admitted it in his annual Chairman Club fundraising letter.

• After scheduling the Central Committee meeting for March 21st, he postponed it to the last possible day the law allows.

• While he stalls the meeting, he's hired a telemarketing firm to poll Central Committee members of their support.

• He's sent out misleading letters to Central Committee members with falsehoods about Carol Klinger and her supporters.

"Alex's attempt to deny me a chance to meet with the members of the party's governing committee are pathetic," Klinger said. "Last time I checked, this is still America. This is another example of why I want to bring new leadership and new direction to our party. I want a party that represents integrity and treats people with respect."

Klinger still intends to greet Central Committee members at the event.

"This is just another example of Arshinkoff's heavy-handed behavior with local leaders," former Fairlawn mayor Pete Kostoff said. "This time, he's beating up a local business owner. It's clear that Arshinkoff has no interest in a fair vote on his leadership or in a free exchange of ideas to make our party stronger."

State Senator Kevin Coughlin believes Arshinkoff's latest outburst will help undecided Central Committee members vote for change.

"I wonder if Alex's major donors are proud of him now," Coughlin said. "Once again, the chairman's child-like conduct has brought embarrassment to the Republican Party."

This Alex guy sure is a schmuck...

NSR: Klinger Propose Accountability, Checks and Balances for Summit GOP

This just in...

CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - Carol Klinger, candidate for Summit County Republican Party Chair, today proposed comprehensive rules for the Summit County Republican Party. The rules will be considered when the part's Central Committee holds its organizational meeting this month.

"The Summit County Republican Party has no by-laws or comprehensive rules," Klinger said. "It’s defining rule is a resolution that transfers all power granted by the Ohio Revised code to govern the party from the Central Committee to Alex Arshinkoff’s hand-picked Executive Committee. These Articles of Regulation for the party define procedures and create essential checks and balances for a better organization."

Highlights:

No more petitions to run for Central Committee
Petitions are a hassle and are unnecessary. Ohio law allows parties to have Central Committee candidates file a simple form at the Board of Elections. (Article I(b))

Fair and open elections for party officers and slates
Requires nominations to be made from the floor for officers and allows them to be nominated as a slate to save time in the meeting. Requires secret ballots in contested elections. (Article II(a))

No outside influence on Central Committee at meetings
The Central Committee is the governing committee of the party having been elected by the people. Clarifies that nonmembers do not have rights to the proceedings unless unanimous consent is granted. (Article II(h))

Central Committee Officers must be committed Republicans
Ensures that officers have a record of Republican voting and registration. (Article III(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1))

Officer accountability with removal process
Provides for the removal of Central and Executive Committee officers. (Article IV, Article VIII)

Balancing power between Central and Executive Committees
Provides for direct election of Executive Committee officers by the Central Committee. (Article V1(f))

Requires secret ballot when more than one slate is nominated for Executive Committee and for officers (Article VI(a),(f))

Maintains endorsement function with the Central Committee (Article VI(c)(2), Article IX(b))

Accountability for the party chair
Prohibits Executive Committee Chair from doing business with the party or candidates for public office. (Article VII (a)(1))

Prohibits Executive Committee Chair from lobbying in the State of Ohio. (Article VII (a)(2))

Requires Executive Committee Chair to file annual ethics report with the party. (Article VII (a)(3))

New primary endorsement policy
Prohibits party from endorsing candidates in primary elections, except to endorse an incumbent Republican who is being challenged. (Article IX (c))

Prohibits party from endorsing candidates for Central Committee. (Article IX (d))

No more free rides for Democrats
Binds the party to attempt to recruit and support Republican candidates in all partisan and judicial races on the ballot. (Article IX (e))

"Even the local garden club has by-laws," Klinger added. "Adoption of these rules is essential too turn our party around, clean up its finances, and begin winning again."

A copy of the proposed Articles of Regulation are attached, and the text appears below.

SUMMIT COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE ARTICLES OF REGULATION
Updated 4/10/08

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

(a) The Summit County Republican Central Committee shall, in accordance with 3517.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, consist of one member from each election precinct in the County of Summit who was elected at the primary in the even-numbered years.

(b) Each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the Summit County Republican Central Committee shall file a Declaration of Candidacy at the Board of Elections as required in 3513.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. Candidates are not required to file a Petition of Candidacy.

(c) Central Committee members shall be elected to two (2) year terms.

(d) Vacancies on the Central Committee shall be filled by a vote of the Central Committee following recommendations by the Central Committee Chair. Any appointee shall not be eligible to vote at the same meeting the appointment is approved.

(e) No nominee can be named to fill a precinct other than the one in which he or she resides.

(f) Any member of the Central Committee who votes in a partisan party primary other than a Republican primary, automatically ceases to be a member of the Central Committee.

(g) Any member of the Central Committee who permits his or her name to be used, or his or her campaign committee to be used on behalf of or solicits or gives support to or for any candidate other than a Republican candidate in any primary, or permits his or her name to be used, or his or her campaign committee to be used on behalf of or solicits or gives support to or for any candidate than a Republican candidate in any special or general election shall automatically cease to be a member of the Central Committee.

ARTICLE II. MEETINGS

(a) The organizational meeting of the Central Committee shall be held as provided by law at which time the Central Committee shall by majority vote elect from their membership a slate of candidates for the offices of Temporary Chairman and Temporary Secretary, and Chairman, First Vice Chairman, Second Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. Nominations of said slates shall be made from the floor. If more than one person is nominated for an office, or more than one slate nominated, the vote shall be conducted by secret ballot.

(b) All meetings of the Central Committee shall be called by the Chairman of the Central Committee, or in his absence or disability by the First or Second Vice Chairman following the chain of command, or upon written request to the Chairman of the Central Committee by one-hundred (100) or more members, whose request shall designate the time, place, subject matter, and proposed agenda of the intended meeting.

(c) Written notice, accompanied by the subject matter and proposed agenda of all meetings shall be sent by first-class mail postmarked at least ten (10) days before the stated time of the meeting to each member at the addresses listed with the Secretary of the Central Committee.

(d) A majority of the members present and voting at any meeting shall determine all questions voted upon at such meetings, provided however, that all actions to reconsider, repeal, or annul any previous action of the Central Committee shall be by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

(e) No vote by proxy or delegation shall be recognized.

(f) Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters and procedures shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.

(g) A quorum shall be defined as fifty (50) percent of the membership of the Central Committee plus one (1).

(h) No one except members of the Central Committee may attend or participate in any meeting of the Central Committee unless granted by unanimous consent.

ARTICLE III. CENTRAL COMMITTEE OFFICERS

(a) CHAIRMAN - The Chairman of the Central Committee shall preside at all meetings of the Central Committee and at the first meeting of the Executive Committee, shall have the right and power to create and appoint special committees and to define their duties, shall have the right and power to appoint a Parliamentarian with usual functions and duties of such officer, and shall have such other rights and powers as from time-to-time determined by the Central Committee to be necessary to promote the Summit County Republican Party.

(1) No person shall be nominated for Chairman of the Central Committee unless the person has been a registered Republican, as indicated by the Board of Elections, for at least four (4) years preceding their nomination.

(2) This officer must be a member of the Central Committee.

(b) FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN - The First Vice Chairman of the Central Committee shall act in the absence or disability of the Chairman and shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Central Committee.

(1) No person shall be nominated for First Vice Chairman of the Central Committee unless the person has been a registered Republican, as indicated by the Board of Elections, for at least four (4) years preceding their nomination.

(2) This officer must be a member of the Central Committee.

(c) SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN - The Second Vice Chairman of the Central Committee shall act in the absence or disability of the First Vice Chairman and shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Central Committee.

(1) No person shall be nominated for Second Vice Chairman of the Central Committee unless the person has been a registered Republican, as indicated by the Board of Elections, for at least four (4) years preceding their nomination.

(2) This officer must be a member of the Central Committee.

(d) SECRETARY - The Secretary of the Central Committee shall keep a record of minutes of all Central Committee meetings, shall keep such records as from time-to-time are determined necessary by the either the Central Committee or the Chairman, shall give or cause to be given the required written notice of all Central Committee meetings, shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Central Committee.

(1) No person shall be nominated for Secretary of the Central Committee unless the person has been a registered Republican, as indicated by the Board of Elections, for at least four (4) years preceding their nomination.

(2) This officer must be a member of the Central Committee.

(e) TREASURER - The Treasurer of the Central Committee shall keep a true and accurate account of all organizational funds coming into the Central Committee and all disbursements thereof, shall make a report at each Central Committee meeting which includes the financial condition and the financial activities of the Central Committee since the last report. The Treasurer shall render an annual audited report to the Chairman of the Central Committee and a copy of such annual report shall be available to any member of the Executive Committee and the Central Committee upon request. All such funds shall be deposited in the name of the Central Committee and shall be disbursed by check, cosigned by both the Chairman of the Central Committee and either the Treasurer or his designee.

(1) No person shall be nominated for Treasurer of the Central Committee unless the person has been a registered Republican, as indicated by the Board of Elections, for at least four (4) years preceding their nomination.

(2) This officer must be a member of the Central Committee.

ARTICLE IV. VACANCIES AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

(a) The elected officers of the Central Committee may be removed or recalled for cause by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Central Committee preset at a meeting called for that purpose with a quorum being present at such meeting of the Central Committee. Notice of intent must be delivered to that officer or officers by certified mail not less than thirty (30) days prior to such meeting.

(b) The written request to the Chairman of the Central Committee for such meeting shall contain the specific alleged grounds for removal, signed by one-hundred (100) members of the Central Committee. The request shall designate the time, place, subject matter, and proposed agenda of the intended meeting.

(c) A copy of the written request with the required one-hundred (100) signatures must be mailed by first-class mail to all members of the Central Committee at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.

(d) Upon death, resignation, or removal of the Chairman of the Central Committee, a new slate of Central Committee officers shall be chosen from among the members of the Central Committee in a manner set forth in Article II (a), at a meeting called for such purpose.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF REGULATION

(a) Upon adoption by majority vote of the members of the Central Committee of the Articles of Regulation, such Articles of Regulation shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise amended in accordance with paragraph (b) hereinafter.

(b) These articles of Regulation may be amended as follows:

(1) Any proposed changes of these Articles of Regulation shall first be submitted to the Articles of Regulation Committee for its consideration and recommendation.

(2) The Articles of Regulation Committee shall report its recommendation to the Central Committee.

(3) Any change of these Articles of Regulation shall be by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at such meeting, with a quorum of the Central Committee present.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(a) The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by slate by the Central Committee by majority vote of the members present, with a quorum of the Central Committee present. If more than one slate is nominated, the vote shall be conducted by secret ballot.

(b) The Central Committee may from time-to-time delegate specific powers to the Executive Committee as the Central Committee may approve. Any powers not specifically delegated in these Articles of Regulation, or otherwise, to the Executive Committee shall be reserved by the Central Committee.

(c) The Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

(1) Management of the Summit County Republican Party on a day-to- day basis, conducting fundraising programs, expending monies for the conduct of campaign efforts, operating and staffing headquarters and conducting such other business as necessary to carry out routine operations;

(2) Recruit and recommend candidates for public office for Central
Committee consideration, as the Central Committee is the endorsing body of the Summit County Republican Party.

(d) Any member of the Executive Committee who votes in a partisan party primary other than a Republican primary, automatically ceases to be a member of the Executive Committee.

(e) Any member of the Executive Committee who permits his or her name to be used, or his or her campaign committee to be used on behalf of or solicits or gives support to or for any candidate other than a Republican candidate in any primary, or permits his or her name to be used, or his or her campaign committee to be used on behalf of or solicits or gives support to or for any candidate than a Republican candidate in any special or general election shall automatically cease to be a member of the Executive Committee.

(f) The officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected by slate by the Central Committee by majority vote of the members present, with a quorum of the Central Committee present. If more than one slate is nominated, the vote shall be conducted by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

(a) CHAIRMAN - Except as provided for in Article 3 (a) of these Articles of Regulation, the Chairman of the Executive Committee shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, shall have the right and power to create and appoint special committees and to define their duties, shall have the right and power to appoint a Parliamentarian with usual functions and duties of such officer, and shall have such other rights and powers as from time-to-time determined by the Executive Committee to be necessary to promote the Summit County Republican Party.

(1) The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall not be owner, partner, or shareholder in any entity that receives business from the Summit County Republican Party, nor from any candidate for public office in the State of Ohio.

(2) The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall not engage in the
practice of lobbying in the State of Ohio.

(3) The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall file a comprehensive statement of all sources of income received during each calendar year with the Secretary of the Executive Committee no later than the first day of May each year.

(b) FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN - The First Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee shall act in the absence or disability of the Chairman and shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

(c) SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN - The Second Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee shall act in the absence or disability of the First Vice Chairman and shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

(d) SECRETARY - The Secretary of the Executive Committee shall keep a record of minutes of all Executive Committee meetings, shall keep such records as from time-to-time are determined necessary by the either the Executive Committee or the Chairman, shall give or cause to be given the required written notice of all Central Committee meetings, shall have such other duties as from time-to-time assigned by the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

(E) TREASURER - The Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall keep a true and accurate account of all organizational funds coming into the Executive Committee and all disbursements thereof, shall make a report at each Executive Committee meeting which includes the financial condition and the financial activities of the Executive Committee since the last report. The Treasurer shall render an annual audited report to the Chairman of the Central Committee and a copy of such annual report shall be available to any member of the Executive Committee and the Central Committee upon request. All such funds shall be deposited in the name of the Executive Committee and shall be disbursed by check, cosigned by both the Chairman of the Executive Committee and either the Treasurer or his designee.

ARTICLE VIII. VACANCIES AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS OR MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(a) The elected officers or members of the Executive Committee may be removed or recalled for cause by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Central Committee present at a meeting called for that purpose with a quorum being present at such meeting of the Central Committee. Notice of intent must be delivered to that officer or officers by certified mail not less than thirty (30) days prior to such meeting.

(b) The written request to the Chairman of the Central Committee for such meeting shall contain the specific alleged grounds for removal, signed by one-hundred (100) members of the Central Committee. The request shall designate the time, place, subject matter, and proposed agenda of the intended meeting.

(c) A copy of the written request with the required one-hundred (100) signatures must be mailed by first-class mail to all members of the Central Committee at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.

(d) Upon death, resignation, or removal of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, a new slate of Executive Committee officers shall be chosen by members of the Central Committee in a manner set forth in Article VI (a), at a meeting called for such purpose.

ARTICLE IX. GENERAL

(a) The Executive Committee may establish by-laws not inconsistent or in conflict with these Articles of Regulation.

(b) All endorsements of candidates for public office shall be made at a properly noticed meeting of the Central Committee call for that purpose by majority of members present and voting.

(c) The Central Committee shall not endorse candidates in primary elections, unless a challenger has filed against an incumbent Republican public officeholder in said primary. If the Central Committee elects to act, the endorsement shall go to the incumbent.

(d) Neither the Central Committee nor the Executive Committee shall endorse nor expend funds for candidates for Central Committee.

(e) The Summit County Republican Party shall attempt to recruit and support candidates in all partisan and judicial elections.

(f) The Articles of Regulation Committee is a permanent and standing committee of the Central Committee whose membership shall be determined by the Chairman of the Central Committee.

(g) The Finance Committee is a permanent and standing committee of the Summit County Republican Party whose membership shall be determined by the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Summit County GOP Update: Ohio GOP May Need to Get Involved

The latest news out of Summit County is that the Republican Party reorganization meeting may be chaired by someone from the Ohio Republican Party in order to insure "a fair process." The Akron Beacon Journal's story sums up the entire thing in the first four paragraphs:

The Ohio Republican Party should preside over the Summit County Republican Party's upcoming reorganization meeting to make sure the meeting is run properly, state Sen. Kevin Coughlin said Tuesday.

"We want to have an impartial third party preside over the meeting and ensure that it is a fair process," Coughlin said during a teleconference call with the media.

But Alex Arshinkoff — the county party chair whom Coughlin is trying to overthrow — said having the state party involved would be illegal. He said the party will follow state law in how the central committee meeting will be conducted.

"The state party has nothing to do with organizing the Summit County Republican Party," Arshinkoff said in a phone interview Tuesday. "We're going to organize the Summit County Republican Party pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, and that's the way it's going to be."

As usual, Alex is taking the hardline approach. You know, Governor Tarkin, the more you tighten your grip; the more systems will slip through your fingers...or something.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think the Ohio Revised Code has much to say about who presides over a re-organizational meeting of a county party. I could be wrong about that, but I don't remember seeing anything about that. Let me check again...

Okay, here is, I think, the relevent law:

The members-elect of each major political party state central committee shall, except as otherwise provided in this section, meet following the declaration of the results by the boards of elections of the election of members of the state central committees, at a suitable place and time to be designated by the retiring chairman of the committee in accordance with party rules. In the case of a county central committee, the meeting shall be held not earlier than six nor later than fifteen days following the declaration of the results by the board of elections of the election of members of county central committees in that county. Notice of any meeting held pursuant to this section, giving the place and time, shall be sent to each member-elect by the retiring secretary of the committee by mail and a copy of the notice shall be posted in the office of the secretary of state or board of elections, as the case may be, at least five days prior to any such meeting. The meeting shall be called to order by the retiring chairman or secretary or if there is no such officer, or if such officer is absent, then by a member of such committee designated by the secretary of state in the case of the state committees, and by a member of the board of elections of the same political party, designated by the board, in the case of county committees. A temporary chairman and secretary shall be chosen and the committee shall proceed to organize by the election of a chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary, and such other officers as the rules provide.

Emphasis added.

The way I read this, Alex is in the right on this one... %@#& it... I do think it would be prudent for ORP representation to be there in order to ensure that shenanigans don't take place...unless the media can handle that job.....

Primary2008: Big Party Money Can't Buy Majority of Races for Arshinkoff

This came in last night after I shut down "live coverage" of the primary:

The New Summit Republican scored a strong victory tonight in the ongoing effort to oust Alex Arshinkoff and elect a new chairman of the Summit County Republican Party.

In the contested precincts for Republican County Central Committee, 83 anti-Arshinkoff candidates won, while Arshinkoff-backed candidates won in 64 precincts. Candidates in 4 precincts tied.

"Last year, Alex Arshinkoff said our effort would fizzle by December," said former Fairlawn mayor Pete Kostoff. "Well, we're still here, we're on the verge of ousting him, and making a clean break from the past."

"Alex Arshinkoff has spent more of the party's money in the last week to save his job than he has spent on any local or countywide candidate in recent years," State Senator Kevin Coughlin said. "Still, we've won in more precincts than him. This should send a strong message to all Republican leaders that Alex Arshinkoff has lost control of the party."

In some of the higher profile races, several New Summit Republican candidates defeated Arshinkoff insiders:

Senator Coughlin defeated Cuyahoga Falls mayor Don Robart in their home precinct for a seat on the central committee.

Kostoff defeated Summit County Republican Party vice chair and Board of Elections Director Bryan Williams.

New Summit County Board of Elections member and longtime Republican activist Donald Varian defeated Summit County Republican Finance Committee member Ray Weber.

Akron Attorney Marshal Pitchford defeated Summit County Republican Finance Committee member William Criss.

Hudson Republican activist Arlene Wagner defeated pro-Arshinkoff city councilman Tom Ellicson.

Stow attorney Lee Wagoner defeated Arshinkoff's political director Michael Chadsey.

Silver Lake's Jon Turney defeated Summit County Republican Finance Committee member Edward Bittle.

In the two races for Republican State Central Committee, the two sides split. Anti-Arshinkoff candidate Anne Coughlin was elected to one seat, while pro-Arshinkoff candidate Bryan Williams won the other.

Results in several precincts remain unclear after tonight's results. Over 5,000 provisional ballots were cast in Summit County. In the tied races and those decided by a few votes or less, provisional and overseas ballots could change the outcomes.

"What is certain is that we have elected a significant bloc of Anti-Arshinkoff members to the party's central committee," Coughlin said. "As we begin the fourth quarter, we have the ball and good field position. I am grateful to everyone who ran for central committee. Ending the corruption and mismanagement in our local party is worth the fight. I now call on all Summit County Republicans to come together and strengthen our party behind a new chairman. Together, we can get our party winning again."

Coughlin Statement on Arshinkoff Removal from BOE

This just in...

"Today is, at once, a sad day and a great day for Summit County Republicans. It is unfortunate that a leader of our party conducted himself in such a way as to invite removal from his position of public trust.

It is a great day for every citizen that wants free and fair elections. As a member of the Summit County Board of Elections, Mr. Arshinkoff did not conduct himself as a responsible elections official. Rather, he abused his role and the election process in a desperate attempt to maintain his hold on the party leadership. The Secretary of State's decision raises the level of confidence in our electoral process.

It is also a great day for the many good and conscientious people who work at the Board of Elections. On measure of a leader is the level of respect and dignity with which he treats employees. At the close of business next Friday, Board staff will be freed of Arshinkoff's regime-style leadership.

As the Board transitions through the next several weeks, it is important for all Board employees to remember that their service to the people is more important than their service to party."