Dole or Deal? Meeting tonight

Jessica Brown reports:

Hamilton County Democratic Party’s Central Committee will be asked tonight to endorse Chris Dole for Hamilton County Commissioner.

An endorsement of Dole, a Crosby Township Trustee, would effectively break a controversial deal between the Democratic and Republican parties to not endorse anyone against the other party’s candidates in the commission race.

Although party chairman Tim Burke is urging against the endorsement, he will have no veto power if the majority of the 198-member central committee decides to endorse Dole.

Frustrated about the deal, Dole decided to run as an independent against Republican commission candidate Greg Hartmann for the commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Pat DeWine. DeWine, a Republican, is running for common pleas judge.

Burke and then-Republican Party Chairman George Vincent agreed to the deal last year because they felt it would help their parties retain current seats and allow them to focus their resources on other races. Critics said it deprived voters of choices on the ballot.

Thomas Luken, former congressman and former Democratic Party chairman, said a motion will be presented at tonight’s meeting to endorse Dole. He sent a memo to central committee members over the weekend urging the endorsement.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. tonight at the Laborer's Hall, 3457 Montgomery Road in Evanston.