Ohio Elections Commission rebukes Latta for lies about foe

The Toledo Blade ^ | November 5, 2007 | Jim Provance

[Clintonfatigued]

The Ohio Elections Commission unanimously slapped congressional candidate Bob Latta with a reprimand after ruling today that his congressional campaign knowingly or recklessly lied about opponent Steve Buehrer’s positions in political flyers.

Even the Latta campaign’s attorney, Scott Pullins, admitted statements that Mr. Buehrer “opposed’’ prayer in public schools and “didn’t want’’ the Ten Commandments posted were “misleading,’’ a “cheap shot,’’ and a “political low blow.’’

But he argued unsuccessfully that the false statements did not rise to the level of a violation of Ohio election law.

Mr. Latta and Mr. Buehrer are campaigning for the GOP nomination for the 5th District congressional seat, which will be decided in tomorrow’s election. The seat became open with the death of Paul Gillmor, and will be decided in a special election on Dec. 11.

Today’s reprimand marks the most severe stance taken to date by the bipartisan commission in dueling complaints filed by both sides. The commission had previously found that state Senator Buehrer (R., Delta) and a Washington political action committee supporting him had made “false statements’’ about Mr. Latta’s 1998 vote related to taxes, but imposed no penalties against either.

The commission had the option of referring either candidate for possible criminal prosecution, but opted not to.

[Clintonfatigued]

Buhrer is the strong conservative and Latta is the Taft-ite. This is a solidly Republican district, so the choice is obvious.

[Clintonfatigued]

On the bright side, I think that Buhrer, the conservative, anti-Taft Republican, will win this one.

[scrabblehack]

I assume Latta is the son or some relation of Delbert Latta?

[Clintonfatigued]

Yes, Delbert’s son. Incidentally, Delbert Latta is still alive.