Padgett: Columbus Cronyism Strikes Again

Padgett’s Former Running Mate and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro Ruled in an Attempt to Dissolve the Cloud of Suspicion Hovering Over Padgett’s Fledgling Candidacy

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released the following statement after the latest example of cronyism in Columbus. Earlier today, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro ruled that fledgling candidate for Congress, Joy Padgett, can continue to run and seek a spot on the ballot either by appointment or election. This ruling, designed to clear up this matter, brings with it a flurry of suspicion. Among the suspicious elements are the facts that Padgett, who is Bob Ney’s hand-picked candidate, was Petro’s running mate earlier this year in his failed gubernatorial bid and their relationship could constitute a conflict of interest, that Padgett ran and lost for an office earlier this year and that Bob Ney has not yet vacated his seat or made official his intent to retire. Ohio families deserve an open and honest election, but with Petro and Taft in Columbus and Ney still in Washington, that does not appear likely.

“Joy Padgett’s candidacy will never outrun the cloud of suspicion she created for herself after hitching her star to the likes of Bob Taft and Bob Ney,” said Bill Burton, communications director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Ohio families are looking for a new direction after years of Bob Ney’s Washington deal-making and rule breaking and Joy Padgett doesn’t come close to fitting the bill.”