Cong OH-18: Padgett (R) Campaign Shadowed by Bankruptcy

As reported in the Columbus Dispatch today, the business and personal bankruptcies of State Sen. Joy Padgett (R-Coshocton) are going to continue to haunt her campaign for Congress. The article reports that "some Democrats are pouncing on her financial failings as evidence that she could not be trusted to manage federal funds. If she wins, Padgett’s $165,200 congressional salary would be garnisheed to help satisfy creditors."

Although opponent Zack Space (D-Dover) won't confirm that he will make an issue of Padgett's financial woes (citing "strategy considerations"), liberal groups and lawyers are "scouring the bankruptcy filings for evidence of mismanagement":

"The issue here is bankruptcy abuse and whether this was only questionable or rose to the level of bankruptcy abuse," said Brian Rothenberg, executive director of Progress Ohio, a political blog. "One thing we know from these bankruptcy filings is that Joy Padgett and her husband had over $500,000 in debt at the time they received this guaranteed government loan, which they failed to make almost any payments on."