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Watchdog Group Calls For More Transparency When It Comes To Lobbyists Helping Candidates

Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio
The State of Ohio, Ohio Public TV
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The State of Ohio/Ohio Public TV
Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio

A good government group is highlighting an email shared among Gov. Mike DeWine’s fundraising staff as a reason to require more campaign finance disclosures – specifically for lobbyists. 

Catherine Turcer of Common Cause Ohio says the 2019 email about a weekly call for DeWine’s fundraising team included eight registered lobbyists representing 124 clients. Nearly all had ties to energy companies or sports betting. And Turcer says nearly half a million dollars was raised for DeWine through events listed in just this one email. 

“What is really clear is big donors and strong lobbyists are able to get significant benefits for their clients," Turcer says. 

Turcer says candidates know who’s raising money for them, so voters should too. She says lobbyists should be required to reveal any support and coordination they provide in fundraising activities in reports filed with Ohio’s Legislative Inspector General.  

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Jo Ingles
Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.