SHAKE-UP: Jacobson drops bid for Senate Presidency

July 02, 2004
Cleveland Plain Dealer

(story edited for space)

Columbus - Sen. Jeff Jacobson ended his quest to become Senate president Thursday after information surfaced that he had concealed his ties to an anti-tax group that assisted his efforts to win the top leadership post.

"In seeking the Senate presidency, I allowed myself to become associated with persons whose practices were antithetical to the reforms I sought and the standards I believed in," the Dayton-area Republican wrote in a letter announcing his decision. "I have come to recognize that further persistence in the leadership race would not be in the best interests of either the Ohio Senate or the reforms I support and still hope to effect."

Jacobson's announcement came as The Plain Dealer was preparing a story on his clandestine fund-raising earlier this year on behalf of the Ohio Taxpayers Association. The association is a nonprofit group that has had close ties to House Speaker Larry Householder and his embattled campaign aides.

Jacobson's quest for the presidency already was in jeopardy, his colleagues said, after the paper reported Wednesday that he had used a secret county party account to hire a consultant, who in turn hired controversial Householder aides Brett Buerck and Kyle Sisk to help him get the nomination.

Jacobson angered some senators by concealing his relationship with Buerck and Sisk, initially insisting in a Plain Dealer interview that they did little more than offer friendly political advice during his quest for the Senate presidency. He later conceded that he had used a secret Montgomery County Republican Party account to hire Dayton political consultant Jim Nathanson, who in turn gave contracts to Buerck and Sisk that included $25,000 win bonuses when Jacobson was sworn in.

On Thursday, Scott Pullins, the Taxpayers Association's executive director, described new surreptitious fund-raising practices by Jacobson.

Jacobson said he did help raise money for the OTA but denied there was an understanding [of what] it would be used for...

Jacobson had been a shoo-in for the Senate presidency after his chief rival, Sen. Randy Gardner of suburban Toledo, announced last December that he had dropped out of the intra-caucus contest.

Gardner said Thursday that he would now seek the presidency, although he could have competition from Sen. Bill Harris of Ashland.

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SENATE VETO OVERRIDE FLASHBACK

December 20, 2003 - Senate President Doug White continues to insist that he doesn't have the votes to override a potential veto of a bill allowing Ohioans to carry concealed handguns.

"I think the Senate would be neglecting its responsibilities if it didn't attempt an override," said Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, who described Taft as out-of-touch and afraid of gun owners. "I think President White could easily make sure the votes are there to do it."

"If it comes down to the only way to enact a meaningful concealed carry law for Ohio is to override the governor's veto, then that's the vote I intend to cast," said Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green.

Four said they were undecided -- Sens. Bill Harris, Jeff Armbruster, Robert Gardner, and Steve Stivers. (emphasis added)

Senator Harris joined several term-limited Senators who were unwilling to override a Taft veto on concealed carry, thus contributing to the weakening of the bill that was eventually passed. Senate President White, himself term-limited, admitted to Ohio Public Radio on December 17 to the existence of HB12 vote trading by term-limited Senators, for Taft job appointments.

We asked it before, and we'll ask it again:

Will the next Senate President be willing to override Taft?

If his name is Randy Gardner, we know the answer is YES:

----- Original Message -----
From: Gardner, Randy
To: 'R.H.'
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 4:14 PM
Subject: RE: Taft raised the bar once more

Mr. Haynes:

I support a process by which the Senate works to move a bill out of the Conference Committee irrespective of Governor Taft's new position on the public records questions. I do not believe this issue is a "matter of difference" between the House and Senate, and therefore is not something that the Conference Committee is likely to or should address. I am for moving forward on HB 12.

Sincerely,

Randy Gardner
State Senator
2nd Ohio District

Related Stories:
Gardner, old foe compete for Ohio Senate’s top spot

Controversies lead to calls for finance reform

Ohio Tax Payers Association - "Paper Tigers"

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