Gov: Ohio Democratic Party Sues Blackwell (R) Over "Common Sense Ohio" Donors

The Ohio Democratic Party has announced that it is suing gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R-Cincinnati) to compel him to require the front organization "Common Sense Ohio" to disclose their donors. From the press release:

After requesting action from Ken Blackwell and the Secretary of State’s office, the Ohio Democratic Party filed suit with the Ohio Supreme Court today to force Blackwell to implement Ohio law by requiring Common Sense Ohio to disclose their donors.

“This sham front group is being shielded from Ohio’s law by the inaction of Ken Blackwell. Blackwell’s tactic of putting his own ambitions above Ohio’s law is shameful and we should all be scared of what he and his Republican cronies will do if he is elected governor,” said Chris Redfern, Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party.

The complaint for peremptory writ of mandamus seeks expedited action by the Ohio Supreme Court to protect the integrity of the new public disclosure requirements for political contributions. Common Sense Ohio and Common Sense 2006 are one and the same enterprise according to public records.

“These sham groups are concealing their donors and blatantly flaunting Ohio law. Common Sense Ohio has donated more than $1.5 million to Common Sense 2006, which in return is running attack ads against Ted Strickland,” said Redfern. “All the while the two groups share directors that have ties to the Blackwell campaign.”

Under the recent law, Common Sense 2006 has to disclose the identity of any contributors donating more than $200. “This law is designed to fight exactly this kind of unethical election practice,” said Redfern, ... . “Ohioans have a right to know who is funding these operations and we will insist that our campaign laws are upheld.”