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Jones considers challenging Boehner

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones

What was your reaction to learning that Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones may challenge U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner for his congressional seat next year?

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By Josh Sweigart and Lauren Pack
Staff Writers Updated 8:21 PM Wednesday, April 29, 2009

HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones has taken the first step to challenge U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner in next year’s GOP primary.

Jones pulled a petition at the Butler County Board of Elections Tuesday, April 28, to take on the West Chester Twp. Republican in the May 4, 2010, primary for the U.S. 8th Congressional District.

He now has until Feb. 19, 2010, to collect 50 signatures and pay a $85 filing fee.

"All I did was pick up a packet," Jones said Tuesday night, saying he is not at this point a candidate for the congressional seat.

Jones, 55, of Liberty Twp., said he is forming an exploratory committee to determine whether a bid for the 8th Congressional District is the right move.

"At this point I am the sheriff of Butler County, I am not a congressional candidate. I love being the sheriff and working with the people," Jones said. "I am looking to see if I can do more by remaining sheriff or as a congressman."

Why isn't Jones considering a run at county commission or a state seat?

"Timing is everything," Jones said. "The three commissioners we have now won’t be leaving soon. The 8th Congressional District is a conservative district (that) I do well in. We'll have to see."

Both Boehner and Jones are popular candidates and powerful fund raisers. Boehner won his re-election bid last year with 68 percent of the vote; Jones won his with 71 percent.

Although Boehner leads his party in the U.S. House, Jones is no stranger to the national stage. His strong — and sometimes controversial — stance against illegal immigration has drawn the spotlight more than once.

Boehner spokeswoman Jessica Towhey issued the following statement in response to Jones' bid: "Congressman Boehner continues to proudly serve Ohio's 8th Congressional District, working hard to develop better solutions for his constituents that will create jobs, lower taxes and put our state and nation on the path to prosperity."

Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette has stood opposite both men: running against Boehner in 1990 and opposing Jones on several issues over the years.

Jolivette called Jones an “astute politician," but said he faces an uphill battle.

"I think the sheriff has a long way to go to try to beat John Boehner," Jolivette said. "John has been a congressman now since the 1990s, (and) has a lot of support throughout the district."

GOP leaders do not relish the prospect of a hotly contested primary, especially with one of the party’s national leaders while the party fights to take back the majority.

"It's always unfortunate if we have a contested primary," said Butler County GOP Chairman Tom Ellis. "If we should find ourselves in that type of situation, it's divisive and expensive and certainly at this time we don't need that."

In addition to much of Butler County, Boehner’s district includes all or parts of Montgomery, Darke, Mercer, Miami and Preble counties.

Richard Jones

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