Pre-Primary Prattle (030308)

Ohio 35th District candidate John Rabenold is advertising himself as a Republican.

He is not a real Republican. The truth is that he is an opportunistic current lobbyist for and former executive in the payday lending “industry.” This is a business that preys on the poor and ignorant in ways old-style robber barons and loan sharks could only dream of, and has little, if any, redeeming social value.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Peter Bronson reports that 40% of Rabenold’s substantial war chest comes from his co-workers at Check ‘n Go.

John “Check ‘n Go” Rabenold’s “industry” surely does not deserve a seat at the legislative table, and, as I opined in September, he does not deserve anyone’s vote. If he wins election in November, Republicans in Columbus should seriously consider not allowing him to caucus or otherwise meet with them, lest the opposition tar them all by being associated with him. If he is given legitimacy, the state’s GOP will deserve all the related grief thrown its way.

The person who appears to be Rabenold’s main opponent, Ron Maag, is advertising himself as a Conservative. Maag’s campaign web site indicates that he generally has the right positions with none of the baggage.

Grace Kendrick is the third candidate, but I know nothing about her other than the nice quotes in Bronson’s article. Though it may be out there somewhere, I could not find her campaign web site. At some point a candidate has to make himself or herself visible.

Pre-Rabenold favorite Eric Minamyer is not on the ballot.

I am voting for Maag, and encourage others in the District to do the same. Realistically, it appears that it will take more than prayer can accomplish for him to beat Rabenold, but, paraphrasing Chris Berman, that’s why they hold the elections.

The idea that I will be represented by John Rabenold’s ilk is truly offensive.

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Speaking of offensive, I understand from Watchdog Matt at Weapons of Mass Discussion that Bill Cunningham’s favored candidate for 12th District Judge, Mary McElwee, doesn’t live in the district — unless you count paying rent on a recently leased apartment in Clinton County while still maintaining her principal residence outside the district.

I don’t. That’s a good old-fashioned BizzyBlog Dealbreaker. I agree with WMD’s endorsement of her opponent.

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I have just downloaded Warren County’s sample ballot, and I encourage all Ohioans to download their party ballot for their country of residence, and to avoid just winging it in the voting booth. I see I have a bit of homework to do myself.