First filer for commission race

Anti jail tax advocate Ed Rothenberg Thursday became the first person to file petitions for a Hamilton County Commission seat.

Rothenberg, a Republican and Hyde Park realtor, turned in 90 signatures to the Hamilton County Board of Elections Thursday afternoon.

Candidates need 50 valid signatures to get on the March 4 primary election ballot. The filing deadline is Jan. 4.

Rothenberg intends to run against Democratic Commission President Todd Portune, who, along with fellow Democratic commissioner David Pepper tried to raise the sales tax without putting it on the ballot. Rothenberg and others were involved in efforts to forced the increase on the ballot and campaign for its defeat Nov. 6.

Among the items on Rothenberg's platform: he wants to change the law, making it illegal for county government to raise taxes without putting it on the ballot.

"I was so mad that they had the nerve to do it. But it's legal," he said.

The Board of Elections says Greg Harris has also taken out petitions to run against Republican Commissioner Pat DeWine but has only turned in a few so far. Harris has unsuccessfully run twice for Congress and once for Cincinnati City Council.