Two recent developments have brought the Gang of 22 “Republican” state representatives back into the spotlight.
The Ohio Press Network reported that members of the Gang of 22 were the only Republicans in the 2021-2022 election cycle to receive donations from two government-affiliated unions: the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA). The Gang of 22 gained national infamy when Ohio representative Rob Ferguson appeared with Glenn Beck to shine a light on their betrayal of their republican constituents.
Increasing pressure on the gang members, Ohio Conservatives PAC began a fundraising campaign to place billboards in each of their districts reminding their constituents that they “went Blue” and “Now we’re done with you.”
Background
Earlier this year in a stunning turn of events, 22 Republican lawmakers joined forces with 32 Democrats to subvert the Republican supermajority and choose State Representative Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) as next House speaker. This came as a shock after the Republican Caucus in November selected State Representative Derek Merrin (R-Moncolva) to be the new speaker and all GOP reps committed at that time to vote for Merrin on January 3 at the official floor vote.
The betrayal was so out of line that the moderate State Central Committee overwhelmingly voted to censure the Gang of 22 for breaking their oaths, disregarding their obligations to the party and their constituents and colluding with Democrats. Several Ohio counties enacted similar censures of the Gang of 22 and their individual representatives including Lucas County representative Haraz Ghanbari.
Only Gang of 22 accepted donations from two government unions
The Ohio Press Network reported that the Gang of 22 are united by a common tie with former state legislator Larry Householder, who helped stage a similar sort of coup in 2019. They have all received major campaign donations for years from special-interest groups and government-backed unions alike.
The report goes on to state that the Gang of 22 were the only Republicans who received donations from two government-affiliated unions during the 2021-2022 election cycle: the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA).
Altogether, the 22 House Republicans who supported Stephens have collected more than $347,000 from government unions since 2017, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Nurses Association, OCSEA and the Ohio Federation of Teachers.
Glenn Beck urges Ohioans to stand against the Gang of 22
Glen Beck brought national attention to the Ohio Gang of 22 and their betrayal of their constituents in a recent YouTube video with State Representative Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville). Ferguson pointed out that these 22 RINOs made a power play deal with Democrats and sold out the Pro-Life and School-Choice movements in Ohio. Beck was surprised to learn that this wasn’t a Freedom Caucus situation, but a majority of Republican representatives standing against 22 RINOs. Beck also asked whether several Ohio House speakers have gone to prison or jail. Rob responded that one (Larry Householder) is currently on trial and the names of several of the Gang of 22 have come up in the trial proceedings.
Ferguson urged Ohioans to donate to causes, raise their voices and let them (Gang of 22 members) know they can’t have a political future in Ohio. In conclusion, Beck urged Ohioans to stand against Gang of 22 saying, “In Ohio you should contact your state representative and say I sure hope you’re not in this gang and wake up and get them (Gang of 22) out of office.”
Naming names
The 22 Republican State Representatives who voted for Stephens and sold out their constituents include: Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), Monica Blasdel (R-Columbiana County), Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton), Jon Cross (R-Kenton), Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), Brett Hudson Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville), Don Jones (R-Freeport), Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Township), Mike Loychick (R-Bazetta), Kevin Miller (R-Newark), Scott Oelslanger (R-North Canton), Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House), Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), Bob Young (R- Green), and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland).
Raise your voice and donate
Use this email string to contact the Gang of 22 and let them know how you feel about them colluding with Democrats and how it will influence your support in the future.
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Donate to the Ohio Conservatives PAC and let the man-on-the-street know that their representative has turned blue. Donate here or mail a check to Ohio Conservatives PAC, 110 E Gambier St, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. The Ohio Conservatives PAC is a grassroots, conservative organization dedicated to advancing conservative policies across Ohio.
