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Internal strife for county GOP

Tom Ellis

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 9:28 PM Monday, November 2, 2009

HAMILTON — Political civil war has broken out within the Butler County Republican Party over who should get the party’s endorsement for county commissioner this week.

In addition to candidates themselves sending out fliers and videos, anonymous surrogates are waging negative campaigns using blogs, e-mails and Web videos.

Over the weekend, two e-mails went out masquerading as party leadership and using the party’s e-mail address.

Using the names “Butler County GOP” and “Real ButlerCty GOP,” the e-mailers spread information critical of two leading candidates: former West Chester Twp. trustee Jose Alvarez and Clerk of Courts Cindy Carpenter.

The first e-mail included copies of posts from a local blog that accuses prominent elected county officials of forming a back-room “cabal” to thwart the democratic process and steer the party toward endorsing Alvarez. Blogger Matt Hurley has claimed no involvement in the e-mail.

The second e-mail included an on old news video questioning whether Carpenter’s employees engaged in political activities on county time during a political rally years ago.

County GOP Chairman Tom Ellis denounced the e-mails — apparently sent to the thousands of people on the party’s confidential e-mail list — Sunday, Nov. 1.

“Someone is deceiving our membership by sending these unsolicited e-mails. That isn’t acceptable in business and will not be tolerated by our Party,” Ellis said. “We will protect our members, our community, and the GOP brand. We are investigating these incidents and pursuing every avenue, including legal remedies. This attempted deceit will stop.”

In addition to Alvarez and Carpenter, candidates include incumbent Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, Treasurer Nancy Nix and Hamilton resident Wes Retherford.

All five will appear before the party’s massive central committee Thursday, Nov. 5, seeking a majority of the party’s support through several rounds of run-off voting.

Historically, candidates who do not get the party’s endorsement don’t run in the primary. But Jolivette — who came under fire from his party when the Ohio Ethics Commission confirmed it was investigating him voting on jobs for his children — has said he’ll run even without the party’s nod.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

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