Oxley’s Wrath - Kelly Kirk

For months now there have been many suspicions about what was going on. It appears to have started with the 04 race. Oxley lost to a young democratic out of towner by a margin of 53% to 47%. Fair or not, the LCI prison closing was certainly an occurrence that affected the election. There were two things Oxley could have done (and didn’t do… not very publicly) in Allen County to assure his victory. But one must remember he is Findlay’s hometown boy and he didn’t have any real visible campaigning in Allen County. Not the chairman’s fault when a candidate doesn’t show up. The chairman defended the congressman and spoke on his behalf. But one line certainly was key.

Allen County residents, with their votes, told Oxley they wanted to see him more often, Cheney said.

That was certainly a very true and honest statement. But why be concerned. Oxley killed his opponent in the rest of the 4th congressional district.

Jump to the year 2006. Oxley decides to step down from his post just months before the scandals hit. Amazingly he misses the opportunity to become the ranking member among the Republicans in Congress. So Findlay vows to keep what they might consider ‘their’ seat. Out of the six candidates it appeared that Findlay has its best hope in Guglielmi. Rep. Mike Gilb drops from the Ohio House race (a seat he held) to enter the fray. Shortly after he finds himself dropping out. Curious in its own right but smart considering the money he would be facing from Guglielmi. His main opponent was going to be State Sen. Jim Jordan whose district included Allen County. Jordan is in Allen county so frequently that he might as well be considered an Allen County candidate. He has worked closely with State Rep. Willamowski over the past years and have developed a great working relationship.

That brings me to the second Findlay race. The 3rd District Court of Appeals. Findlay touts Vern Preston. Vern’s son is also Guglielmi’s campaign manager. What a tight knit group. But this is politics as usual. Nothing overly odd about it. But what was odd is that former Allen County chairwoman Kelly Kirk is leading both these candidates around to meet people. She introduces Vern Preston who is running against Willamowski. She gets Preston introduced to the media. Not only is it odd for a former Allen County chairwoman to tout an opponent of an Allen County candidate but it becomes more curious knowing she is Oxley’s staffer for the District Office in Allen County. It is reliably known that Kirk approached Willamowski to persuade him to drop from the race.

In the end, both Willamowski and Jordan kick some political tail and win dramatically. A testimony to their integrity and consistency. Willamowski did nearly the impossible. He won with only spending around $40,000 for a 17 county race. His opponents both spend over $100,000. Amazing.

Now comes the closing move. Kelly Kirk ran against the Allen County Chairman Keith Cheney. She ran in her lifelong neighborhood. She beats him by 3 votes in an unusual precinct race. Now the push to win and woo the committeemen. Here is where Oxley becomes visible. Here is a quote from Oxley in Kirk’s flyer.

“Republican voters have a rare opportunity to elect someone of Kelly Kirk’s caliber as Chairman of the Allen County Republican Party. A longtime community leader, Kelly has played a vital role in electing Republican candidates at all levels of government over the last 30 years. She has the integrity and the experience the party needs to lead to continued victories in 2006 and beyond.” - Congressman Mike Oxley

Retribution and wrath now poured out on Cheney. Kelly supported the Findlay candidates and promoted them even when her own county had a candidate. Despite the numerous sweeps in the election in Allen County Oxley is now using his weight to thrust the current Chairman from his post. Oxley is even holding a special private breakfast for her supporters (free of charge) prior to the Central Committee meeting to tip the balance in Kirk’s favor. If she does win, then all candidates in Allen County will suffer in the long run. Allen County will be turned toward the Betty Montgomery/Bob Taft wing of the Republican Party. Something few of us in Northwest Ohio will cherish. A move that will be a prelude of things to come for the 2008 Presidential race.

In Oxley’s final months in office, you would wonder why he would want to be remembered locally by Republicans for this last desperate act of supporting someone who supported losing candidates from outside of her county.

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