Ted Celeste goes negative? Say it ain't so Ted!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ted Celeste goes negative? Say it isn't so Ted! Campaign Contact: Brad Weigel brad@timrankin.org 513-259-4707 Candidate Contact: Tim Rankin 614-679-062624th Ohio House District --- Ted Celeste is now relying upon the top Democrat attack dog, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and his other numerous special interest buddies who deceptively call themselves the 'Campaign for the Moderate Majority.' Ted Celeste's attack dogs have already spent more than $715,000.00 to help Ohio House Democratic candidates this election year alone. And they obviously intend to spend hundreds of thousands more to ensure more "YES-men" are there for them next year. The deceptive Campaign for the Moderate Majority sent a community-wide mail piece which completely misrepresents Tim Rankin, his position on health care, and claims that Tim is "more interested in protecting insurance companies and their profit margins." FACT: Tim Rankin has not received a single penny from any insurance company --- while Ted Celeste received $3,700.00 from the insurance industry and lobbyists in the past six months.

FACT: Tim Rankin is a long-time small business owner whose company provides high level jobs with health care benefits to nineteen (19) employees and forty-three (43) dependants.

Tim Rankin does not look to the bloated government or special interests to tell him how to provide health care for hard working families. Instead, Tim Rankin actually provides jobs and health care for Ohio families. For months now, SEIU and other Democratic special interest groups - including trial lawyers - have used the same candidate questionnaire from Ohio Business Votes to attack state-wide numerous opponents of their Democratic candidate Yes-men. The Democratic House Caucus, among others, have adopted this negative and false tactic themselves. Not only are their claims misrepresentations, but often flat out false (go to www.ohiobusinessvotes.org/GetTheFacts.asp). Isn't it ironic - or hypocritical - that just a few short years ago Democrats throughout Ohio cried foul when a candidate questionnaire was twisted against the Democratic opponent?

Of course, the Democratic House candidates have sheepishly claimed "we knew nothing about it." You can be assured that "Yes-man not-so-positive Ted" will feign the same ignorance of his friends' dirty work. If Ted is truly the positive campaign man he claims to be, then surely he will immediately:
• disassociate himself from these groups;
• denounce their piece as false and misleading; and
• return the $10,670 maximum campaign contribution that he has received from each of the 3 groups ($32,010 total) that make up the Campaign for the Moderate Majority.

Tim Rankin agrees with putting money and influence back with the residents and taxpayers of the 24th Ohio House District and not special interest groups - period! "For anyone to claim that I am out to protect anyone other than ALL businesses, ALL taxpayers, and ALL working families is un-informed and void of any political courage, and is not worthy to represent the good people of this great district." stated Tim Rankin. This reinforces the reason why Tim Rankin decided to run for state representative -- it is finally time for the people of the 24th District to have a candidate that truly is ONE OF OUR OWN.

"I am a life-long resident of the 24th District and look forward to the opportunity to serve the district and not the lobbyists and special interest groups that for far too long have adversely affected our state," Tim Rankin said.

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