Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
Summit County Republicans Continue Infighting
The Republican Party is in the midst of a full scale civil war here in Summit County. Long time chairman Alex Arshinkoff is being challenged by term limited State Senator Kevin Coughlin. There is bad blood amongst the Summit County Republicans. Supporters of Kevin say that Alex is a chairman who strong arms fellow Republicans and is weak when it comes to winning elections. Supporters of Alex say Kevin is lacks the character to run their party, doesn't have the central committee votes to oust Alex, and will be shunned from the Republican Party when this is all said and done. Both sides are very dramatic in their explanations. It all puts a smile on my Democrat face.Today at 2:00 pm, the New Summit County Republicans, lead by Coughlin, will reveal their selection to challenge Arshinkoff for the chairmanship and the real fight will begin. There has been speculation that Coughlin would name himself to run, but I heard from a contact that Coughlin won't even be at the press conference because the State Senate is in session. Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court Judge Kim Hoover (a dude) has been the name that has been floated the most. The word on the streets late Monday is that it is going to be a "surprise candidate." Regardless, it is going to be fun for us Democrats to watch the fight get started. Republican and Coughlin supporter Ben Keeler will have it up at politics.ohio.com this afternoon.
By Kyle - 3/25/2008
15 Comments:
It is going to be an interesting afternoon. Ill be waiting around like everyone else to find out who it is.
This is local politics at its best folks.
I'm going to ask this again. Did you guys make the following statement:
"Finally, now that the site is being relaunched, I want to make sure that everyone knows that Ben and I are not being muzzled. Ben has agreed not to post on the race for the new Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party and will not be paid until after March 4th because he is a candidate for Central Committee".
great graphic! giggity giggity!
This graphic made my day. Thanks KK.
Yes, but in order for Hoover to take over as Republican chair, he would have to step down as Judge in Cuyahoga Falls.
If that happened, Governor Strickland (a Democrat) would get to appoint Hoover's replacement -- which could create an interesting scenario for the Republicans (do they want to control the judgeship, or have Hoover be the new party chair and a new Democratic judge in Cuyahoga Falls/Stow). It would also create a split court in Cuyahoga Falls (as Judge Coates is also a Republican).
Interesting . . .
Mencken, yes. I made that statement. I should have been more clear and said that Ben's agreement to not talk about the race ended on March 4th. After that time, he is free to discuss it in any way he chooses.
Sorry for the lack of clarity on my part.
The choice is Carol Klinger. We had the story up at The Point before anyone. I have more info over there up about her.
Not sure this was politics at its best... actually rather
anti-climatic after all the hype. Anyway probably a good strategic choice. Alex is probably smart enough not to smear a woman the way he would a male opponent, and if he attacks her fiscal reputation, then he is attacking Goodyear's as well. Good safe defensive move.
Menken,
Good insight on the Rep. pick.
I just noticed Ben's statement made here:
"It is going to be an interesting afternoon. Ill be waiting around like everyone else to find out who it is".
But I then read his comment on The Point:
Very late last night, I got the official word from one of my sources, but was sworn to secrecy until today's press conference got under way".
Just a little white lie I guess. Should come in handy working with Coughlin. It was also a comment that didn't have to be made other than tell us what a player he is. The Seduction of Ben begins.
Late night calls....the "official" word, being sworn to secrecy... secret sources... give me a break. It's Carol Klinger for Christ's sake, not the D-Day Invasion plans.
Oh yeah, and I know your secret handshake.
"Ill be waiting around like everyone else to find out who it is".
I'm vomiting in my waste basket.
ben is immune to seduction, I have tried for years to woo his heart but alas he won't have me
Mencken
Your off base on this one. He does a very good source and that source does provide good information and Ben has to respect that individuals situation and agree to that persons wishes.
Then why lie about not knowing Klinger was the pick?
His best option was not to say anything.
Face it. The first post in this thread was a deliberate lie.
Keeler is a clown. He should read some of the chief source posts and pho posts to get a completely accurate view of his hero coughlin.
The klinger is an absolute bust, she has no following not even in cuyahoga falls, republican mayor don robart completely despises her.
anon,
Having Don Robart hating you is NOT a bad trait!
In the grand sceme of things, it's irrelevant -- Summit County is a strongly Democratic county, and is getting more so with each election.
At the rate things are going, Summit will soon be like Cuyahoga and Mahoning counties -- where there are Republican parties, but where they have no weight or influence.
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