Republican "revolt"

Republicans are "revolting" against the County party's stance in support of the sales tax issue to fund a new jail and public safety programs.

Read their press release here.

"Republicans are not united on this plan," said Jason Gloyd, a Republican and head of the anti-sales tax campaign at a press conference Monday, explaining the revolt. They said Republicans want fiscal responsibility, and they thik the tax is too expensive.

The County GOP endorsed the sales tax--also known as Issue 27. But several elected Republicans including Commissioner Pat DeWine, Treasurer Rob Goering, councilman Chris Monzel, and State Rep. Tom Brinkman have all come out against the plan, as has Herman Tegenkamp, a Deer Park councilman and Heather Harlow, Colerain Township fiscal officer.

Representatives from Republican clubs in Anderson Township, Sycamore Township, Cheviot, and Springfield Township were at the press conference. Several of those clubs are printing alternate sample ballots for members to hand out at the polls if they choose.

The group said the issue goes deeper than just the tax. Many Republicans are revolting against what they call the "tax-and-spend" mentality of the local and state Republican leaders.

Said Chris Finney, who is a member of the Policy Committee for the county GOP: "We stand for a new direction of the Republican Party. We represent the future of the Republican Party. those advocating for the tax represent the failed past of the Republican Party."
Here's who was there:

Chris Finney (Hamilton County GOP policy committee, COAST), Jason Gloyd (spokesman for WeDemandABetterPlan.com), Pat DeWine (Hamilton County Commissioner), Jeff Capell (Filed a federal lawsuit against Sheriff Leis and the county to get them to allow anti-tax literature to be sent to sheriff's office workers), Mike Jordan (head of the Anderson Township Republican Club), Charlie Norman (DeWine's staffer and member of the Cheviot Republican Club), Herman Tegenkamp (Deer Park city councilman), Lou and Pat Williams (members of Springfield Township Republican Club), and Justin Jeffre and Michael Earl Patton (City Council Candidates).

Jeffre and Patton aren't Republicans though they do oppose the tax. They were there for a separate press conference.