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THREAD: With the dust now (somewhat) settled, I want to go over some of the Ohio legislature campaign finance facts I've accumulated over the past 24 hours.
These relate to Speaker Larry Householder, FirstEnergy, House Bill 6 and the Ohio General Assembly.
These relate to Speaker Larry Householder, FirstEnergy, House Bill 6 and the Ohio General Assembly.
The federal investigation is alleging a major racketeering scheme -- money passed under the table in favor of certain political actions. We don't know the extent of all that just yet.
But the publicly-known $ on the books paints a pretty damning picture. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2020/07/21/firstenergy-money-flowed-to-ohio-politicians-who-supported-householder-backed-hb6/
But the publicly-known $ on the books paints a pretty damning picture. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2020/07/21/firstenergy-money-flowed-to-ohio-politicians-who-supported-householder-backed-hb6/
House Bill 6 had 2 sponsors and 13 cosponsors.
Of those 15 legislators, records show the FirstEnergy PAC donated to 14 of them in the few years leading up to their HB6 support.
Of those 15 legislators, records show the FirstEnergy PAC donated to 14 of them in the few years leading up to their HB6 support.
I've located FirstEnergy donations to 54 state legislators between Jan. 2017 and July 2019 (when bill passed & was signed into law).
41/54 voted for HB6.
Besides those 54, an additional 12+ received their first FE donation in the year after voting for HB6.
41/54 voted for HB6.
Besides those 54, an additional 12+ received their first FE donation in the year after voting for HB6.
Of those 54 legislators to receive a FirstEnergy donation pre-HB6 vote...
Most were middling amounts between $250-2,000.
But about a dozen received much higher amounts in the 5-figures. So who were these politicians who FE targeted for big donations?
Most were middling amounts between $250-2,000.
But about a dozen received much higher amounts in the 5-figures. So who were these politicians who FE targeted for big donations?
Some, unsurprisingly, are now in leadership. They include Speaker Householder, Majority Whip Edwards, Sen. Majority Floor Leader Matt Huffman.
Who were the others? Funny you should ask...
Who were the others? Funny you should ask...
A pair of 5-figure donations from FirstEnergy went to GOP candidates who would go on to sponsor HB6 as House freshmen.
Jamie Callender - $12,700 donation from FE on 3/9/18; elected that Nov.
Shane Wilkin - $10,000 donation on 2/28/18; appointed to fill Rosenberger seat in June
Jamie Callender - $12,700 donation from FE on 3/9/18; elected that Nov.
Shane Wilkin - $10,000 donation on 2/28/18; appointed to fill Rosenberger seat in June
We see this a few more times.
Candidate Jon Cross - $12,700 donation from FE on 3/8/18; elected that Nov., co-sponsors HB6 in 2019
Candidate Brett Hudson Hillyer - $12,700 donation from FE on 4/17/18; elected that Nov., co-sponsors HB6 in 2019.
Candidate Jon Cross - $12,700 donation from FE on 3/8/18; elected that Nov., co-sponsors HB6 in 2019
Candidate Brett Hudson Hillyer - $12,700 donation from FE on 4/17/18; elected that Nov., co-sponsors HB6 in 2019.
Again, FE donated to dozens of candidates in years preceding HB6 vote. But it saved several of its biggest donations for those who, it just so happens, went on to be the biggest supporters of HB6.
Another co-sponsor, incumbent Rep. Anthony DeVitis, got $28K~ from 2018-19.
Another co-sponsor, incumbent Rep. Anthony DeVitis, got $28K~ from 2018-19.
Let's mention some of Speaker Householder's known connections for a minute.
I made a spreadsheet of all his committee's donation to other GOP candidates (since his return to House).
He gave to 18 Republicans in 2018. 17/18 voted for HB6. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L9_Xhkq9vk0PZMi7OuU7L4UX3uOOFICgjOFvJCOEaLc/edit#gid=0
I made a spreadsheet of all his committee's donation to other GOP candidates (since his return to House).
He gave to 18 Republicans in 2018. 17/18 voted for HB6. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L9_Xhkq9vk0PZMi7OuU7L4UX3uOOFICgjOFvJCOEaLc/edit#gid=0
That I can tell, Speaker Householder's committee only donated to one incumbent in the whole year of 2019.
That was to Rep. Ghanbari, another co-sponsor of HB6. The donation of $1,000 was made on 7/24/19.
The House vote on HB6 was 7/23/19.
That was to Rep. Ghanbari, another co-sponsor of HB6. The donation of $1,000 was made on 7/24/19.
The House vote on HB6 was 7/23/19.
Additionally, the on-the-book connections between these politicians and the others arrested yesterday are numerous.
Lobbyist Juan Cespedes: donated to HB6 sponsors Callender, Cross, Wilkin, Vitale, Hillyer.
Lobbyist Neil Clark: donated to Callender and Cross.
Lobbyist Juan Cespedes: donated to HB6 sponsors Callender, Cross, Wilkin, Vitale, Hillyer.
Lobbyist Neil Clark: donated to Callender and Cross.
The only GOP House member I'm aware of who received Householder $ but voted against HB6: Jena Powell.
She's also one of the few to have received a major FirstEnergy donation ($12,700 on 2/28/18) but was still a "no."
She's also one of the few to have received a major FirstEnergy donation ($12,700 on 2/28/18) but was still a "no."
Last thing for now:
Former Rep. Ryan Smith took in $6,500 from FE in 2017 and another $5,000 in 2018 when he served as speaker.
He voted against HB6, then resigned two months later. https://twitter.com/RyanSmithOH/status/1285636384317997056
Former Rep. Ryan Smith took in $6,500 from FE in 2017 and another $5,000 in 2018 when he served as speaker.
He voted against HB6, then resigned two months later. https://twitter.com/RyanSmithOH/status/1285636384317997056
If you haven't read it yet, see my story. I'll be keeping on the $ train this week, so stay tuned.
If you have any questions/comments/avenues to explore, please leave them below. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2020/07/21/firstenergy-money-flowed-to-ohio-politicians-who-supported-householder-backed-hb6/
If you have any questions/comments/avenues to explore, please leave them below. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2020/07/21/firstenergy-money-flowed-to-ohio-politicians-who-supported-householder-backed-hb6/
