Garrison files complaint in House against Johnson, alleging election law violation

YOUNGSTOWN

Jennifer Garrison, the Democratic challenger in the 6th Congressional District race, filed a complaint with a U.S. House committee contending incumbent Rep. Bill Johnson violated a congressional rule about “the inappropriate use of taxpayer funds for self-promotion” right before the general election.

But Johnson’s campaign says the congressman didn’t violate the rules.

A mass mailing, paid with tax dollars, isn’t permitted if it’s “postmarked less than 90 days before” an election “in which such individual is a candidate for public office,” unless the mailing is less than 500 pieces, according to a House rule that is enforced by the Committee on House Administration.

Garrison of Marietta filed a formal complaint with the committee calling for an investigation into a piece of mail from the congressional office of Johnson, a Republican from Marietta, that was recently sent. The mail was about a bill that passed in the House on May 8 to make education research more relevant, and “autonomous from political influence and bias.”

However, Mark Weaver, Johnson’s campaign spokesman, said the mailing was legal as it was sent to less than 500 people.

“Bill Johnson thinks it’s important to communicate with his constituents and does it year in and year out, and he always follows the rules,” Weaver said.

Read more about the dispute in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.