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Fisher denies impeding Brunner’s fundraising
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher fired back at Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, his opponent in next month’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, over accusations that he is impeding her ability to raise money.
“There’s nothing more irresponsible than somebody who makes charges without evidence,” Fisher told The Vindicator editorial board Friday.
“That’s completely irresponsible. I’d never do that. You have evidence of something? If so, then show the evidence. Otherwise, don’t make the charge.”
Fisher added: “It’s total nonsense, and I don’t want to dignify it more than that. I’ve got better things to do than to ask people not to support my opponent.”
Brunner told The Vindicator during a March 29 editorial board meeting that Fisher is calling people, including those who’ve already contributed to her campaign, telling them not to give her money.
Brunner also referred to Fisher two weeks ago as “rattling” Gov. Ted Strickland’s endorsement of him “like a sabre.”
In response, Fisher said Friday: “I’m very proud of the governor’s endorsement, extremely. But I don’t even mention it that much to be quite honest. It’s irresponsible to make a charge or manufacture a charge without evidence.”
Brunner told The Vindicator during a Friday telephone interview that her criticism is “obviously getting under his skin. I have evidence, but when people who support me tell me these things they’re afraid to let me give their names. There are numerous instances where either he or his wife will say to people that the governor has endorsed Lee. People won’t come forward because they’re scared.”
During his interview, Fisher criticized Rob Portman, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Portman served as U.S. trade representative and director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush.
Fisher criticized Portman for “advocating trade policies to export jobs to China, gave tax cuts to the wealthy that didn’t benefit the middle class and completely deregulated Wall Street. Those three things, more than anything else, put us into this economic ditch.”
Fisher said he is the best candidate for U.S. Senate because of his variety of experience as a state legislator, his four years as attorney general, his three-plus years as lieutenant governor and seven years running the Center for Families and Children.
“I’m the only candidate in either party who’s actually helped, save, create and retain jobs in every corner of the state,” he said. “I’m very proud to have been the lead person in our administration for most of the past three-plus years. I’ve been the person in the administration most focused and most active on job retention, creation and attraction.”
While in Youngstown on Thursday, Portman criticized Fisher for state exports declining by $11 billion, a 25-percent decrease, and a loss of nearly 172,000 jobs in Ohio last year compared to 2008.