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Thursday, January 03, 2008
Pat DeWine will not seek re-election to County Commission
Posted by Media Release
Cincinnati, OH - - January 3, 2008 - - Today, Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine announced that he will run for a seat on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. Commissioner DeWine issued the following statement detailing his decision to seek election as Judge in 2008.
Pat DeWine Election Statement
Tomorrow, I intend to file for election for a seat on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. It was certainly a difficult decision, but one that I am very excited about.
I made the decision to run for Judge, rather than seek reelection as Commissioner, for a combination of personal and professional reasons. For me the matter came down to a weighing of three considerations: (1) where could I make the most difference for the citizens of Hamilton County over the coming years, (2) what was best for my children, and (3) where I could put my abilities to best use.
I’ve spent the past eight years in public service: first as a member of City Council and then as a member of the Hamilton County Commission. What has always drawn me to public office is that it is a way to improve the lives of people, a way to make a difference in the world.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the place I can make the most difference is as a Judge. The job of a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas is a tremendously important one, and I begin the race with a great respect for the office. The office is entrusted with decisions that affect the safety of our neighborhoods and the daily lives of countless citizens. I believe it is crucial we have judges who will administer the law impartially, who understand the importance of orderly and safe neighborhoods, and who will treat all citizens fairly. I also believe it is important, at all levels of government, to have elected officials who respect taxpayer dollars. These are values that I will bring to the office.
During my years on Council, I saw first-hand the importance of the decisions of our judicial officials to the safety and quality of life of our neighborhoods. As an attorney, I’ve observed the impact that good judicial decision making can have on those before the court. While being judge may not always be as high profile as serving on the County Commission, it is a position that has a real effect on the people who come before the court and on our the welfare of our neighborhoods. I believe I can make a real difference as judge.
More importantly, though, my children are now 11, 9 and 5. As you may know, in addition to my public service, I have maintained an active and busy law practice for the past twelve years. While I love both my jobs as Commissioner and as an attorney, the demands of trying to do both can at times be significant. I’m not one to do anything halfway, and devote considerable time and energy to both. As a Judge, of course, I will have to give up my private law practice. While I will miss the private practice of the law, I look forward to being able to focus on one job and believe that my doing so is what’s best for my three sons.
Finally, I look forward to a new challenge. I’ve spent eight years in the rough and tumble of partisan elected office. I’ve fought hard for conservative principles of reform and believe that with the help of many others, I have been able to accomplish a great deal.
But frankly, to serve the public in a somewhat different role is very attractive to me right now. I very much enjoy the practice of law, and since I was 12 years old and watched my father in trial as County Prosecutor, serving as a judge has been something that has appealed to me. After law school, I had the honor of serving as law clerk to the Honorable David A. Nelson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, whom I admired and respected greatly for his seriousness of purpose, his keen legal mind and his integrity and fairness.
It wasn’t until the past week or so when I became aware that Judge Davis would not seek reelection that I thought seriously about running for this office this year. But as I thought it more and more, I became convinced that this was right decision for me and my family.
I believe I am well qualified for the position. In addition to serving as law clerk for Judge Nelson, I have maintained a complex an active national legal practice for the past 12 years, even while serving first as a member of Cincinnati City Council and then on the Hamilton County Commission. My experience on Council and on the Commission has provided me with a wealth of understanding about the problems facing our neighborhoods, which will give me an important perspective as a Judge.
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Hamilton County over the past three years as Commissioner, and I look forward to continuing to serve for the rest of my term. I believe that we have accomplished a great deal and I am especially proud of our efforts to control the growth of spending and taxation and to reform County government. I simply believe that over the next six years, I can make the most difference for the citizens of Hamilton County as Judge.
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03 Jan 2008 at 10:53 am | #
I like this a lot. Whether you agree with his politics or not, DeWine has shown that he’s an independent thinker. That’s what we need on the bench in this County - someone who does what he thinks is right no matter what the party bosses say.
03 Jan 2008 at 11:30 am | #
DeWine made a more positive impact as Commissioner than Portune and Pepper put together by helping to defeat Issue 27. For that reason alone, I’m grateful for his service as County Commissioner. People who supported the defeat of Issue 27 should support DeWine for judge because he’s proven to be a fair and open-minded public figure. The art of politics is that you support people who supported your causes in the past. We need fair and open-minded people like DeWine to serve as judge.
Now, I expect the usual Democrats who post will say that we need Democrats to become judges. If you think Hamilton County needs more liberal judges, tell Tim Burke to run someone for these Common Pleas judgeships instead of allowing them to be taken by Republicans unopposed. I love a contest. However, even if the Democrats run someone for Judge Davis’ seat, I plan to support DeWine because he supported the defeat of Issue 27 while most of the Democrats supported this enormous incrase of the sales tax.
03 Jan 2008 at 01:07 pm | #
“As you may know, in addition to my public service, I have maintained an active and busy law practice for the past twelve years.” -Dewine
I didn’t know that Hamilton County Commissoner was considered a part time job.
Do David Pepper & Todd Portune consider it part time? What about the up coming candidates?
03 Jan 2008 at 01:42 pm | #
Good for DeWine, not good for republicans.
I think its a risky move to “shuffle” the names around. Hartmann did not win Hamilton County last year in his run for OH Secy of State. He is going to have to work hard against Greg Harris (D) depending on how the national elections go for the Reps. Hopefully Wilke will now drop his campaign for CC.
DeWine should do fine against any unknown Dem challenger for the CP bench. We’ll have to see who files against him.
Clancy will do will fine against Martha Good (D). Clancy works had and will campaign hard to win next Nov.
I’m sure the county Dems are moving their slate around as we speak. I guess we will just have to wait until 4pm tomorrow to find out what adjustments will be made.
03 Jan 2008 at 02:47 pm | #
Funnelcake - All of the current Commissioners work part-time. Both Portune and Pepper also maintain law practices of their own. To be honest, I don’t know about the upcoming candidates.
03 Jan 2008 at 02:49 pm | #
Norma Holt Davis, who unsuccesfully ran for MC Judge against Bouchard in Novembers election, will be running against Pat Dewine. So I’ve heard.
03 Jan 2008 at 03:20 pm | #
Yes, Funnelcake, Portune and Pepper both consider the Commissioner positions part-time jobs. They both work for law firms on a full-time basis (Portune for Cook, Portune and Logothetis and Pepper for Squire, Sanders and Dempsey).
03 Jan 2008 at 03:33 pm | #
LOLOLOLOLOL
Can you say “cut and run”? Cut the county budget into bankruptcy then run for another office you coward!!!!!
If you wanted to spend time with your kids, you should have spent more time working on your marriage rather than your assistant.
Judgeships are traditionally reserved for those who have exercised great loyalty and dedication to their parties - DeWine has shown loyalty to noone but himself and now wants to run to the front of the class for a cushy jude job.
03 Jan 2008 at 03:58 pm | #
anon, do we really want a bunch of partisan hacks on the bench? I don’t think so. I think we need nonpartisans who are concerned with serving the people and not some corrupt party bosses.
03 Jan 2008 at 07:52 pm | #
From Ourcampaigns.com, the following is contributed by Pat Dewine for his “details” page. I’m ever astonished at the group that pretends to be progressive—the anti-jail group. An endorsement of a guy that said out front he’s going to prosecute litterers, weed smokers and panhandlers, by the people that CLAIM they’re concerned about too many black men being incarcerated for low level offenses. In Pat’s own words. Yet you’ll find another slippery and slimey way to try and pretend he’s somebody other than who he says he is.
Pat has also fought to strengthen law enforcement and increase accountability throughout the ranks of the City bureaucracy. He has focused on cracking down on quality of life offenses: pushing tougher weed and litter ordinances, speeding up the process of removing junk cars from private property, cracking down on aggressive panhandling and reducing the time it takes to remove ugly graffiti from our streets. Pat has pushed to provide City police officers with the best technology to fight crime by fighting for a Compstat system that tracks crime on a daily basis and ensures police resources are being allocated efficiently and effectively to reduce crime.
03 Jan 2008 at 08:51 pm | #
Oooohhhhhh JJ - you didn’t! Did you just throw support behind DeWine? Don’t ever, ever claim you aren’t a Republican. Don’t ever try to pretend like you care about fairness and equity, minorities, or the disadvantaged.
DeWine has used his life of privelge and status to promote the most far-right wing agenda for his entire career (unlike some who use their family legacy to help others). Any person who’s life turns on a dime, literally, (or even a nickle) isn’t worth a penny for luck found in the gutter.
Dean, Dean….please say you’re not going along with this.
And do I want a bunch of party bosses as judges - hell know, particularly one so extreme his own party doesn’t want to dance with him.
03 Jan 2008 at 09:17 pm | #
Where did Justin say he supported DeWine in this race?
Along with what? At this point, I know nothing about who is running against him, and what each of those individual’s respective platforms are. How can I comment?
04 Jan 2008 at 01:27 am | #
LG - try to confirm your facts before you throw them out here. Neither Pepper nor Portune are full-time at law firms.
04 Jan 2008 at 02:38 am | #
Come on, Dean, you can read with comprehension—JJ’s comment about a “nonpartisan” judgeship will be DeWine’s campaign mantra, hoping to pull in the support of the NAACP. (Since they’re such good buddies with them right now. Heck, he’ll ride the wave of ignorance all the way to the bench right up until the time a young black man with 2 bags of pot and 23 dollars in singles comes before him—then, he’ll pull the old, right wing throw them in jail and throw away the keys.
Geez, I FINALLY figured out the anti tax groups’ Plan B—it is to get elected to the bench and dish out long, harsh sentences to the black and poor offenders are sent UP STATE to do their time—thereby releaving the county overcrowding problem.
LOLOLOLOL
It’s so simple. Boy, I had all the confidence in the world that DeWine and his Pit Crew would solve criminal justice problems. Hey, I wonder if he’ll get these guys to trial faster too? I bet he will. The heck with due process, representation, and rights…. cite ‘em, arrest ‘em, convict ‘em, send ‘em up state——fast!
Great—- DeWine, Finney, Rothenberg, Gloyd, Brinkman, et al REALLY REALLY DID HAVE A PLAN.
(Still just cowardly “cut and run” to me the sob)
04 Jan 2008 at 05:38 am | #
How much time does he spend with his kids? Didn’t his wife get custody when “Marble Mouth” ran off with that black girl???
04 Jan 2008 at 10:52 am | #
????
It’s too easy.
http://www.ssd.com/lawyers/lawyer_detail.aspx?lawyerid=19823
http://www.employmentjusticelaw.com/Bio/ToddPortune1.asp
04 Jan 2008 at 12:55 pm | #
So if the CC job is PT would someone tell me what my friend Phil did for other income since his pretty wife was home birthing children? How did he live on a PT salary in a nice big house in Loveland?
04 Jan 2008 at 01:10 pm | #
That one is easy, too.
Phil is the grandson of Arthur Murray. He lives off the trust fund.
source
04 Jan 2008 at 01:57 pm | #
anon/Republicrat, nice try, but no I don’t support DeWine and I have never said I did. Keep making stuff up if you want, but you’re not fooling anybody.
Portune and Pepper take lots of money from Lindner, they campaigned with Si Leis, the Republican Party and they pushed a regressive jail tax.
Don’t ever, ever claim they aren’t Republicans. Don’t ever try to pretend like they care about fairness and equity, minorities, or the disadvantaged. You can’t have it both ways.
I said we shouldn’t have partisan hacks serving on the bench. I don’t think we should have partisan hacks serving in government at all. The two corporate parties share the same agenda and are beholden to the same corporations and big campaign contributors.
04 Jan 2008 at 05:03 pm | #
Well there are no Green judges running so you’re going to have to look at what’s available and make a choice.
04 Jan 2008 at 05:23 pm | #
What an egotist!
First, there are thousands in this county that could do as well as he has done.
Second, he should finish the jobs he has started. Does he think that Cincinnati and/or Hamilton County is in good shape today?
We need another system of electing people that doesn’t rely solely on name recognition.
04 Jan 2008 at 06:40 pm | #
Some of us don’t hold our noses and vote for the lesser evil. I will take a closer look at the race and I may or may not choose to vote for one or the other. There is a difference between voting for somebody and publicly campaigning for them. I will probably not vote for either unless I can find a compelling reason to. I will likely choose to let you Republicrats pick your own candidate and sit that one out. I generally only vote for candidates that I believe in.
04 Jan 2008 at 07:38 pm | #
LG: “easy” is not to be confused with “lazy”: neither of the sites you link to describe Pepper’s or Portune’s employment as “full time.” In Pepper’s case the site hasn’t been updated since he was elected to the Commission; in Portune’s case being a Principal helps to ensure other people are doing the heavy lifting.
Justin: is “black girl” racist language inappropriate for this site? If not why not given your ruling upon “black boy”? Some might take offense; at a minimum it’s agist and that’s just wrong!
04 Jan 2008 at 09:35 pm | #
You make no sense Justin. You cry and whine and wring your hands and pretend you care about unfair sentencing of “young black males” and then take no interest in who’s doing the sentencing? The golden opportunity to impact fairness in the courts and that’s where you choose to abstain. You’re some piece of work. You’re an anti-tax Republican who could give a shit less about poor people’s justice. And you guys sure picked a nut to run for president, didn’t you? You must be pissed off. I’m sure you would have preferred McCain or Guiliani.
04 Jan 2008 at 09:49 pm | #
Suz,
You got the hots for Justin or what? For the past 6 weeks or so-all you have done is just blast him from stem to stern like a kindergarten girl with a crush on the boy who sits next to her.
Time to give it a rest-sometimes your comments are so far off topic they don’t make sense. Just trying to bait Justin to bite at you. Give it up!
04 Jan 2008 at 10:19 pm | #
cincysuz, I know you have some problems comprehending what you read, so I’ll repeat this part for you. I will take a closer look at the race and I may or may not choose to vote for one or the other. We’ve hardly gotten a chance to see what kind of back room deals the Republicrats made and who’s running for what.
I stand by my position that David Pepper and Cecil Thomas’ anti-marijuana ordinance manufactures criminals, disproportionately black men. Clearly there is no relationship between voting for the jailocrats and getting fairer and more just sentencing.
Again, I support taxing stock options and funding health and human services unlike many Democrats that slashed the funding for these important services. You can keep repeating your lies, but I don’t know who you think you’re fooling Republicrat.
I will only vote for an anti-war candidate, unlike you.
04 Jan 2008 at 10:29 pm | #
What “nut” does cincysuz suggest Justin supports for President? Not aware of the Green candidate campaigning at this juncture.
04 Jan 2008 at 11:24 pm | #
Rather than supporting him for Commission, Lindner threw half a million behind Heimlich (both directly and through his Mitt Romney fundraiser) to beat Pepper, JJ. He must not have gotten the memo that Pepper was a Republican.
05 Jan 2008 at 01:00 am | #
Lindner, you, I mean Carl Lindner supported Pepper for council and for Mayor. The whole family gave the maximum amount allowed. Lindner knows there’s no difference, he just likes Phil better. Pepper’s parents (also Republicans) had to chip in half a million just to keep up. Forget the Jones’, try keepin up with the Lindners.
05 Jan 2008 at 12:50 pm | #
In the Mayor’s race, Lindner actually bankrolled the Windburn for Mayor campaign, and Windburn spent the entire amount of money attacking Pepper through mail/TV (probably only gave to Pepper after Windburn dropped out, when evryone thought Pepper would win).
Then Lindner bankrolled the Heimlich campaign against Pepper.
So in the two biggest campaigns of the past several years, Carl Lindner money actually was what funded both negative campaigns against Pepper. And good for the parents for trying to equal the playing field against all the Lindner money.
05 Jan 2008 at 02:47 pm | #
Lindner, the Lindner family gave a lot of money to Pepper’s council campaigns as well as his Mayoral campaign. When you’re a billionaire you can hedge your bet and bankroll all the candidates that are friendly to your agenda.
Clearly Pepper and Portune support Lindner’s corporate agenda, just look at who donated to their million dollar jail tax campaign. And good for Pepper’s Republican parents, It’s nice that they can afford to buy commission seats too. It’s kind of silly to refer to these huge infusions of cash as leveling any playing field. Big money corrupts our political process. We have the best democracy money can buy.
05 Jan 2008 at 04:55 pm | #
So let’s get this straight.
Pepper has two big races in 2005 and 2006 where he faced Republicans head-to-head. Both times, Lindner gave bucketfuls of money to the Republican, which were used to attack Pepper through mail and tv. And even as these attacks took place, he threw more money toward the Republican who was attacking Pepper. Pepper must be a heck of a Republican.
05 Jan 2008 at 05:46 pm | #
Lindner, it is really quite simple. Pepper has taken Lindner money for many years. Lindner funds Repblicans, Charterites and Democrats as long as they support his corporate agenda.
The Lindner family gave Pepper $13,000 in 2005 and would’ve like1y given more if it wasn’t for the city’s campaign contribution limits. This wasn’t the first time the Lindner family gave big campaign contributions to Pepper and since they gave the maximum amount allowed, they couldn’t have given a Republican more money than they gave Pepper.
Lindner may like religious Republicans better, but he still funds Pepper and Portune because they are willing to support his agenda. Lindner funds campaigns, he doesn’t run them. The choice to run negative pieces didn’t come from Lindner, but the candidates themselves and their handlers.
Judging from the large amount of campaign contributions that Pepper has received from Republicans and large corporations, I’d say he must be one heck of a Republican.
You can also look at his record of corporate hand outs to Convergys and 3CDC etc, his draconian marijuana ordinance and his push for a regressive jail tax. Pepper certainly is more of a Republican than a progressive. There is no difference between these corporate parties. If you think there is I’d like for you to point it out. Thanks!