New Day in Butler County

Long time readers of WMD might like to note that earlier this week, Butler County GOP Central Committee chair Judy Shelton resigned her positions with the party and the Board of Elections.

While many who served with me in my time on the Central Committee know that Judy and I did not have the best relationship, I am deeply saddened to learn that one of her children recently passed away. If she and/or her husband (sidebar: he once called me a not-so-nice name to my face at a meeting once) happen to see this, I wish to express my deepest condolences for their loss.

In the Journal-News article, Shelton says, “It’s time with the presidential (election) coming up. I would like to see fresh, new leadership going forward.” Personally, I thought it was "time" quite awhile ago. She's been divisive. She's held on to power that she shouldn't have (speaking of the BOE position...) when the by-laws (at least at the time anyway) instructed something different. In general, I have found her willing to accept a lot of the shenanigans that have plagued the Butler County Republican Party over the years. Some might even suggest that she allowed it and encouraged it. The turmoil kept the factions fighting instead of uniting to stop a lot of it.

I'm glad to see her go.

Looking forward, there are several good people that I'd love to see step up. Bill Lack would be fantastic. He's smart and a savvy political operative, but he's busy with other pursuits. Nancy Riggs is exactly the right sort of person for the job too, but I hear she isn't interested in running.

Chris Wunnenburg is the most likely successor. He's politically astute and has been trying for years to advance in the hierarchy. My understanding is that he has the support of elected officials and Team Boehner, which makes him a pretty good bet.

Unless Roger Reynolds or Nancy Nix decide to run (and they are both too busy with their official duties, I would think), Chris has my support as well.

It is well past time for real reform to come to Butler County.

BUTLER COUNTY: GOP is Broke?

Here is the latest coverage from the 527 Media in their continuing series (here and here) to paint the Republican Party in Butler County as in some sort of financial dire straits.

It is interesting that the 527 Media got involved in this story after receiving a press release or a call from the local Democrats. They published their first story in a rush and without, in my opinion, having done due diligence and sufficient research. The result put Butler County Republicans on the defensive and the facts came out that the Democrats and the 527 Media had only part of the story. Things weren't as bad as had been portrayed. The Democrats claimed, and the paper asserted without having been able to contact the landlord, that the Republicans hadn't paid their rent on the headquarters. A claim so ridiculous, I dismissed it immediately as overreach.

The next day, the 527 Media had to do a second piece cleaning up their mess. It was revealed that Nancy Nix was ambushed (my words) by a reporter on the phone while at an event. Of course, the 527 Media never disclosed that fact. Truth is that the GOP operates several accounts and not all of them are reported to the Secretary of State. Some of the accounts are reported to the local Board of Elections. When you add up all of the funds available to the GOP, you find that while they are struggling, the bills are being paid.

In today's piece, we learn that what caused this financial pinch is poor decisions made by the former chairman of the executive committee. I first became involved with the Butler County Republican Party after learning that the then headquarters was the palatial estate pictured to the left. I nicknamed the building the Todd Mahal after former chairman Carlos Todd whose folly this was. Turns out, the succeeding chairman, Tom Ellis, also spent more on facilities than the party really could afford.

There is one name missing from all of this coverage and that is Judy Shelton, the chairman of the Central Committee.I have never understood how she manages to slither away from all of the controversy, but mark my words she has to own some of the responsibility too.

Dave Kern, the current chairman of the executive committee, has to do a better job of reigning in the finances and get the party focused, once again, on LOCAL politics and let the Mitt Romney's of the republican Party fend for themselves. Also, the party's rank and file needs to have more access and hear regular reporting on the party's finances. A significant reason for this fiasco is that the average member of the Central Committee has NO IDEA what the financial situation of their party actually looks like.

SIDEBAR: I laugh hysterically whenever I see Sheriff Spotlight acting like he is some kind of fiscal conservative... This...

“It used to be the party would give money to local candidates,” but that ended year ago, said Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones, now in his third term. “I think they would like to give to candidates, but they don’t have any money.”

Jones, with a campaign war chest of more than $200,000, said he supports the party by attending fundraising events, but writing a check to the party is not something he is willing to do. The sheriff said the county GOP has grown into a “big, fat machine” that can’t be sustained in a down economy.

“I have been asked would I be interested in donating money to the party every year,” Jones said.

He declines the party’s request, saying “it is just too hard to raise.” But the sheriff does give up some of his campaign’s cash to support select individual candidates seeking election.

...is HYSTERICAL!

Just remember, folks, he has $200,000 and won't give a dime of it to the party that supports him. I have no doubt that the BCRP will support him again, too, just like they always have.....

Anyway, this is just another of my many attempts to ask the Butler County Republican Party to clean their house and get their crap in order. I expect it to be received with the same warmth and respect that I have always gotten from the Powers That Be over there, but I hope that enough members have had enough to actually do something about it and change the culture in what is clearly a troubled party.

WMD Blast: Kasich and Shelton Edition

Kasich Goes Full Obama and Enlists Help of Children to Lobby His Agenda?

Columbus Dispatch's The Daily Briefing blog has the story.

He's probably joking, but this is exactly the sort of thing one might expect from our governor these days.

What's next, John? An Enemies List???

Judy Shelton LIED to Her Own Party

Judy Shelton is the Central Committee Chairman in Butler County. She's been engaging in some shenanigans with the Board of Elections to rearrange the precincts. She actually told the Central Committee that it wouldn't happen and that those who were concerned were "ill-informed" but here is the Hamilton Journal News reporting that the lines will be redrawn.

So, Republicans of Butler County I ask you this: NOW WILL YOU VOTE THIS CHARLATAN OUT???

Why is this such a big deal? Shelton is consolidating her power base by minimizing the number of seats in Central Committee in Tea Party areas of the county. Having Dave Kern as Executive Chairman is nice and all, but if the Tea Party wants to wield actual power in this county, they have to get Judy Shelton replaced with someone who holds real conservative values.