Calif. men’s billions on hot seat in Ohio election

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s two fall ballot issues may be decided by the influence of two wealthy Californians.

Henry Nicholas is the tech executive behind Issue 1, Marsy’s Law, which would require that crime victims and their families are notified of all court proceedings, allowed to tell their stories and given input on plea deals.

The retired co-founder of chip maker Broadcom says he’s driven to philanthropy and support of the measure in honor of his sister, Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.

Health care executive Michael Weinstein, president of the nonprofit $1.2 billion AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has thrown his organization’s financial resources behind Issue 2, a drug pricing initiative – and quickly become a target for opponents who say he is an untrustworthy “serial litigator.”

The two are portrayed in starkly different lights as they play central roles in their respective ballot issue campaigns. Weinstein has fast become a familiar face to Ohio voters who are seeing a nonstop barrage of related advertising.

The pharmaceutical industry-backed campaign against Issue 2, Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue, has spent an estimated $32 million so far to oppose the measure.

The yes campaign, Ohio Taxpayers for Lower Drug Prices, has spent about $7 million, mostly on attacks of the pharmaceutical industry.

Updated figures are due out today.

The Marsy’s Law for Ohio campaign – thanks in part to Nicholas’ story – has drawn no organized opposition. The campaign reported raising $5.7 million as of Wednesday, $2.9 million in direct donations from Nicholas.