Surprise, surprise. One of the lobbyists indicted in the Larry Householder criminal case has identified SE Ohio representative Jay Edwards as the “Representative 8” listed in the federal complaint. “Representative 8” was present at the exclusive (and expensive dinner) at which the people currently charged with racketeering discussed the now-discredited HB 6. Edwards himself is not currently under indictment, but as majority whip, he was a central member of the gang known as “Team Householder.” The disgraced lawmaker now facing federal racketeering conspiracy charges was instrumental in elevating Rep. Edwards to the office he now holds.

It may be that Rep. Edwards was as unaware of his mentor’s activities as he claims. However, the political machine that brought him to power was behind the largest corruption case in Ohio’s history. Ohio deserves better.

Fortunately, we have better. Katie O’Neill is running for the Ohio House District 94 seat currently held by Jay Edwards. Ms. O’Neill is an environmental attorney who was part of Athens’ successful effort to ban fracking sites and injection wells’successful, that is, until Ohio’s GOP-controlled Supreme Court ruled that voters do not have the right to protect their towns from fossil fuel development if the state legislature has approved such development. This is the legislature controlled by representatives whose campaigns received millions of dollars from First Energy.

Sounds like time to clean house.

A vote for Katie O’Neill is a vote against the corruption that brought disgrace to the Ohio House of Representatives. It is a vote for clean elections and a clean energy future. It is a vote for Ohio.

Rebecca Phillips

Marietta