State GOP comments on Toledo ‘coup’

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - The Ohio Republican Party released a statement in regards to the coup at Monday's Lucas County Republican Party central committee meeting.

“I look forward to working with the duly elected leaders of the Lucas County Republican Party. Leadership decisions are made at the local level by the county party’s central committee and certified by the board of elections,” said Kevin DeWine, Ohio Republican Party chairman. “If there’s a disagreement over who represents the official county Republican Party organization, the Republican state committee is required by law to meet within 30 days of board certification to resolve the conflict. Our party is energized and united by a team of statewide candidates committed to leading Ohio to a better future, and I’m asking Lucas County Republicans to come together and join us in that effort.”

Following Monday night’s meeting there are two individuals claiming to be Lucas County Republican Party Chair. Jon Stainbrook maintains he still is the chair of the party, while others claim Stainbrook was replaced by Jeff Simpson.

The two sides are disputing whether the actions to remove Stainbrook are legal under Robert’s Rules, the bylaws for the Republican party.

“You have to understand what the meaning of a central committee meeting is,” Stainbrook said. “It’s to have a meeting about something that’s on the card that is mailed out by the law. That’s what we did. This was done by the bylaws and it was done properly. The after the fact, they thought it would be fun to have shenanigans and release a press release.”

Simpson said he was officially elected to the Lucas County Republican Party, despite claims from Stainbrook that he was not.

“A motion was placed before the body. The body voted on that motion and that is that. The central committee is the governing body of the republican party and I am the chairman,” Simpson said.