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The Cincinnati Beacon
$10,000? What is The Charter Party?
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
The State of Ohio only recognizes two political parties: Democrats and Republicans. How can it be, then, that the Charter Campaign Committee has given $10,000 to Chris Bortz’s City Council campaign, with the record of that contribution listing it as the type “Political Party”?
Check out this long list of contributions, and at line 15 you’ll see the contribution in question. It says the Charter Campaign Committee is a “Political Party.” But this cannot be the case!
Back in May, Nate Livingston posted attempting to explain the details and definitions about what, exactly, is the Charter Party:
The Charter Campaign Committee is a local PAC. As such, their campaign finance reports are filed with the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
(...)
PACs may use their contributions only in ways that match the definition of expenditure, as defined in Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.01(B)(6), or to refund excess or illegal contributions. The amount that PACs, including Charter PAC, can contribute to a Council candidate is $2,500. (source) This $2,500 amount includes all expenditures—direct or independent—made in support of or in opposition to a candidate.
In Summary, the Charter PAC is a separate entity from the Charter Committee. Charter PAC’s primary or major purpose is to support candidates who have been endorsed by the Charter Committee. Jeff Cramerding is Charter PAC’s deputy treasurer. Contrary to some claims, Cramerding never stopped being the deputy treasurer—not even for a short period of time. Charter PAC’s offices are in the same location as the Charter Committee’s offices—811 Race Street, Suite 300.
The major differences between the Charter PAC and the Committee Committee are:
*the PAC is required to report every contribution and expenditure to the board of elections; the Charter Committee has no such obligation.
*the PAC is only allowed to give Council candidates $2,500; the Charter Committee is allowed to give $10,000.
*the PAC is only allowed to spend money on “expenditure” as defined in ORC 3517.01(B)(6) or to refund excess or illegal contributions; the Charter Committee can spend money on just about anything they want to. But, remember, the Charter Committee can’t take money from their operating fund and give it to the PAC.
Livingston’s post raises just as many questions as it answers. Is the Charter PAC he references the same as the “Charter Campaign Committee”? He indicates as much in the beginning, but then changes the words he uses to describe it. Why is the “Charter Committee” allowed to give $10,000? Is the “Charter Committee” different from the “Charter Campaign Committee”? And either way, how can the “Charter Campaign Committee” be a political party when the State of Ohio only recognizes Democrats and Republicans?
It seems to me that the Cincinnati Elections Commission has some questions to answer:
Dear Roshani Hardin,
I was just reviewing the contributions to Chris Bortz’s council campaign, and I noticed that the “Charter Campaign Committee” gave him $10,000—and further that this was listed as being from a “Political Party.” I’m curious about this.
To the best of my knowledge, the State of Ohio only recognizes Democrats and Republicans as “political parties.” If I am incorrect in my understanding, please explain. Additionally, I thought the “Charter Campaign Committee” was technically a PAC. Shouldn’t that limit their contribution to $2,500?
I would direct these questions to the Charter Committee itself, but they have never answered a single inquiry I have sent them, probably because they are a private corporation of some sort with no oversight. Yet, I cannot find a record of their existence with the Secretary of State. So, in addition, if you happen to know what kind of organization they are, I’d appreciate knowing that, too.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration. I am eager to study your response.
Respectfully,
The Dean
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