GOP chief Stainbrook files appeal

Lucas County Republican Chairman Jon Stainbrook has lodged an appeal to recognize him as the legitimate chairman and to force Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to appoint him to a vacancy on the Lucas County Board of Elections.

His appeal asks the 6th District Court of Appeals to review the ruling last week by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Charles Doneghy that denied an injunction sought by Mr. Stainbrook.

The embattled political chief is trying to prevent the Ohio Republican Party from having the power to rule on whether Mr. Stainbrook or Toledo lawyer Jeff Simpson is the rightful party chairman.

Mr. Simpson and political ally Paul Hoag of Springfield Township contend they were elected in a stormy meeting of the party's central committee Dec. 21. Their claim was certified last month by the Lucas County Board of Elections, and the Ohio GOP now has a 30-day window in which to choose between the two claims.

Mr. Stainbrook's lawyer, Anthony DeGidio, said Mr. Simpson's election is invalid because it did not occur during an organizational meeting. He also said in the meantime Mr. Stainbrook's nominee for the Lucas County Board of Elections should be honored by the secretary of state.

"You may be aware that the current chairman Jon Stainbrook was elected largely due to his promises to clean up the criminal component of the LCRP left by Tom and Bernadette Noe," Mr. DeGidio said in an e-mail to Ms. Brunner. "Neither your office nor the courts seem interested in helping despite numerous opportunities." The lawyer also represents Meghan Gallagher, Mr. Stainbrook's central committee chairman.

"Regardless of the decision by Judge Doneghy my clients are the 'de facto' executives and committees of the Lucas County Republican Party," Mr. DeGidio wrote. "Your office was made aware of this in prior communications yet you persist in ignoring the doctrine. You are required to appoint Jon Stainbrook to the Board of Elections unless you have a lawful basis to disqualify him."

Ms. Brunner has not yet named an appointee to an upcoming Republican vacancy on the elections board, saying she doesn't want to step into the dispute. Mr. Stainbrook's committee has nominated him to the position, which comes open Monday when board member Lynn Olman's term expires. The Simpson contingent has nominated David Dmytryka.