The Binkley vs. Binkley strategy worked for Lucas County GOP Chairman Jon Stainbrook.
Four years ago, Jonathan Binkley beat Mr. Stainbrook for the male’s seat in the 11th Senate District on the state Republican Party Central Committee.
This time around Mr. Stainbrook left nothing to chance.
Another Binkley — Sean, no relation to Jonathan — was recruited to run in the same race, diverting enough votes away from Jonathan Binkley to give Mr. Stainbrook the win. He captured 6,925 votes to 5,043 for Jonathan Binkley and 1,648 for Sean Binkley — outpolling them by 234 votes.
RELATED CONTENT:
Jonathan Binkley has supported Kevin DeWine as state GOP party chairman and received support from the state party against the local GOP party chairman.
Mr. Stainbrook was supported by Gov. John Kasich, who is trying to oust Mr. DeWine.
The state party paid for mailers supporting Jonathan Binkley, and a group called Restoring Ohio Inc. based in Gahanna ran unprecedented television commercials on CNN and other outlets in support of Mr. Stainbrook.
The state central committee consists of 66 people — two from each Senate district — who elect the chairman.
The seat was the only local spot on the committee that was contested. Unopposed were Dee Talmage of Ottawa Hills for the female committeeman’s seat in the 2nd Senate District, Meghan Gallagher of Toledo as the female candidate for committeeman in the 11th District, and Mark Wagoner of Ottawa Hills for the male committeeman’s seat in the 2nd District.
First Published March 7, 2012, 6:37 a.m.
