Election board throws out complaint against Damschroder

3/5/2014

FREMONT, Ohio - The Sandusky County Board of Elections today threw out the complaint against Rhonda Damschroder's write-in candidacy for her husband's seat in the state House of Representatives.

The 4-0 vote came after the man who filed the protest, John Brewer of Clyde, abruptly walked out of the protest hearing rather than agree to be sworn in. He said he couldn't make his case because Mrs. Damschroder wasn't present.

Don Brey, a Columbus lawyer representing Mrs. Damschroder, said Mr. Brewer should have subpoenaed Mrs. Damschroder if Mr. Brewer wanted her to be there. Mr. Brey went on to say that Mrs. Damschroder's declaration to be a write-in candidate contained no false statements, and that Mr. Brewer was not eligible to file the protest because he is not a Republican.

Mrs. Damdschroder, the wife of two-term Rep. Rex Damschroder (R., Fremont) filed for the Republican nomination for the House seat to help her husband get on the ballot after he was barred by a clerical error. Mr. Damschroder failed to sign his nominating petitions.

If nominated, according to Mr. and Mrs. Damschroder, she will withdraw as a candidate and let the Republican chairmen of Sandusky and Seneca counties replace her on the ballot with her choice, Mr. Damschroder.

Also seeking the GOP nomination as write-ins are Tiffin businessman Bill Reineke, Jr., and Ballville Township Trustee Richard Geyer. Retired teacher Bill Young of Green Springs filed as a write-in for the Democratic nomination.

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419--724-6058 or an Twitter @TomFTroy.