Rivals claim Tea Party backing

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, answers questions during the Associated Press Legislative and Elections Preview Seminar Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) JAY LAPRETE / AP Enlarge

COLUMBUS - Will the real Tea Party candidate for Ohio secretary of state please stand up?

Sandra O'Brien proudly declares on her campaign Web site that she is the "Tea Party endorsed'' candidate for the Republican nomination.

But her opponent, state Sen. Jon Husted (R., Kettering), notes that, although Ms. O'Brien has been backed by several local Tea Party groups, the closest thing to a statewide voice, the Ohio Liberty Council, has not endorsed anyone in the race.

Muddying the waters further is a recent mailer financed by the Ohio Republican Party on behalf of Mr. Husted that some Tea Partiers argue gives the false impression that the former speaker of the House has their backing in the May 4 primary election.

The mailer's logo, also appearing on party mailers for candidates for state central committee, depicts a steaming cup of tea and the words "Tea Party Values.''

"The Ohio Republican Party is trying to hijack us,'' said Amy Schwan, organizer of the Akron Tea Party, which is supporting Ms. O'Brien.

The mailer dispute is the latest in the feud between the burgeoning Tea Party movement and the official state party machine. The party's central committee has endorsed Mr. Husted for secretary of state and Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost for state auditor in the only two statewide races in which there is a GOP fight.

The Ohio Liberty Council, through its political action committee, hasn't endorsed for secretary of state, but it did endorse Mr. Yost's opponent, state Rep. Seth Morgan (R., Huber Heights), for auditor.

Mr. Husted countered that the Tea Party is an individualized, local movement and that he has been endorsed by groups including Ohio Right to Life and the National Rifle Association that have a lot of people in common with the movement. He also noted that some local groups, because of their federal tax status, are prohibited from endorsing.

"I thought the goal was to get elected officials to support their values," he said. "I would think they would be enthused and flattered whenever an elected official, Democrat or Republican, supports their view of less spending, lower taxes, more personal freedom, and less government intrusion. That's the goal of all Tea Party folks."

His opponent, however, accused him of "identity theft.''

"With his record of raising taxes, he clearly does not reflect Tea Party values,'' said Ms. O'Brien, a former Ashtabula County auditor who ran unsuccessfully for Ohio treasurer in 2006.

Ohio Liberty Council President Chris Littleton said he's hearing from Tea Party members across the state who are angry over the mailers.

"It does seem that the Ohio Republican Party has declared war on the Tea Party movement,'' he said. "Yes, people are furious.''

There has also been some talk of filing a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission. It remains unclear, however, what the complaint could allege, given that the Tea Party movement doesn't have an official logo or an apparent trademark.

"It would be safe to say that in polite meaning and pop culture that people in the Tea Party adhere to basic values," Mr. Littleton said. "They believe in fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets.

"By saying 'Tea Party,' it clearly implies you believe in those particular things."

Mr. Littleton said he doesn't object to Ms. O'Brien using the label, given that she has received several local Tea Party endorsements. But he noted that Mr. Husted hasn't received any.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Maryellen O'Shaughnessy and Libertarian Charles Earl on Nov. 2.

Contact Jim Provance at:

jprovance@theblade.com

or 614-221-0496.