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ON THE SIDE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
MONEYBAGS: State Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, the Ohio House speaker pro-tempore, raised more money last year for his run for the 6th Congressional District seat in the May primary than the three other Republicans in the race combined.
And Blasdel should expect an influx of national Republican money to his campaign thanks to a recent political move.
The Ohio Republican state central committee and state GOP Chairman Robert Bennett made a formal recommendation to the Republican National Committee that it support Blasdel's campaign. In Republican primaries without a GOP incumbent, the RNC's policy is to not get involved unless the state party chairman and the state central committee recommend that rule be waived.
While Blasdel was already the Republican of choice for the RNC, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Ohio Republican Party in the May primary, the waiver makes it official. That means the RNC will contribute money and resources to make sure Blasdel buries his Republican primary challenges under piles of money. If Blasdel wins the primary, the RNC will also provide his campaign with significant funds and assistance during the November general election.
skolnick@vindy.com