AFSCME

AFSCME Hammers Republicans In New Set Of Ads (VIDEO)

Marc Kilstein | October 21, 2010, 3:03PM

American Federal of State, County & Municipal Employees ad, "Real People"

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has rolled out a new series of ads, taking on Republican candidates from Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

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OH-16

Ohio GOPer Claims Union Defamed Him In Suit

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 20, 2010, 10:14AM

Congressional candidate Jim Renacci (R-OH)

Republican Congressional candidate Jim Renacci has taken the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to court, claiming the union defamed him by claiming in ads that he lied on his taxes. The ads were aimed at helping his Democratic opponent, incumbent Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH).

The battle pits the GOP against a powerful union trying to protect a freshman Democratic pickup from 2008. Prognosticators say Boccieri's 16th District seat carries advantages for the Democrats, but could go either way. Let's put it this way: It's the kind of place that Republicans say they can win this year.

It's likely Renacci suit against a major name in organized labor won't hurt his goal of rallying Republican voters for November. According to local news site CantonRep.com, Renacci says in his suit that "the union's advertising contains false and defamatory statements that Renacci tried to cheat on his taxes."

"[T]the people of our district have been witness to a new low in the level of political discourse, as John Boccieri and the union bosses at AFSCME have engaged in some of the most reprehensible and ethically bankrupt conduct this district has ever seen," Renacci told reporters in a press conference outside court house steps yesterday.

AFSCME sees things a little differently.

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OH-16

Boccieri's Potential GOP Challenger Fought $1M+ Tax Assessment

Ben Frumin | April 14, 2010, 12:02PM

Congressional candidate Jim Renacci (R-OH)

Rep. John Boccieri's (D-OH) likely Republican opponent was "assessed nearly $1.4 million in unpaid state taxes, interest and fees in 2006" -- which he fought fiercely before finally paying, the Associated Press reports.

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