Ohio GOP tightens rule for central committee

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Republican Party central committee passed by one vote Friday a new policy to make sure that only the most faithful can be seated on the committee -- and possibly solidify the position of the current chairman.

Chairman Kevin DeWine pushed for adoption of the rule in a meeting of the committee in the Polaris commercial district.

The rule requires committee members to have voted a Republican ballot in the three most recent primary elections, including the current one. That policy is expected to bar about a dozen people who are already on the ballot for state central committee in the March 6 election.

"What happened to the Republican Party being inclusive? What happened to our big tent?" asked Sarah Brown, a committeeman from Stark County.

The committee adopted the change 29-28, with one person abstaining. Not all 66 members were present.

The vote count prompted a dispute that could end up in court. Jo Ann Davidson, the former speaker of the General Assembly, said it was unfair to adopt a rule after candidates had already filed. She said she thinks the bylaws require passage by a majority of the 66-member committee, or 34 votes. Mr. DeWine, citing the ruling of his parliamentarian, declared the amendment adopted.

Barely beneath the surface was the power struggle between Gov. John Kasich and Mr. DeWine. Mr. DeWine said in a Dec. 2 speech that the governor was recruiting candidates to run against sitting members of the committee. Mr. Kasich acknowledged he wanted a new chairman elected.

"It seems hypocritical … " said committee member Gary Burkholder of south-central Ohio. "We had one of the most successful years in the history of Ohio politics."

Mr. DeWine supported the rule during the contentious debate but said afterward that he was not concerned with the leadership fight.

"I see it as a win for the people of Ohio who are focused on beating Barack Obama and Sherrod Brown. There is nobody, there is no organization who has been more steadfast in its support of John Kasich and the agenda he has put forward than the Ohio Republican Party," Mr. DeWine said.

Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.