Brunner News
Brunner has sights set on Senate seat
by on 04.17.2010
As an undergraduate student at Miami University, a professor told Jennifer Brunner that she’d be good at politics.
Brunner, then Jennifer Junk, mused that someday she’d like a seat in the U.S. Senate. The professor responded, “Well, I didn’t mean that.”
Fast-forward 30-plus years, and people are still telling Brunner that she is good in politics but that she should set her sights somewhere other than the U.S. Senate.
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If elected to the U.S. Senate, Brunner said she would like to serve on the judiciary committee, where she would work on criminal justice reform issues, such as putting more money into community corrections programs that work rather than warehousing so many non-violent offenders in costly prisons.
She noted that she'd also serve any committees dealing with labor, agriculture, banking and economic development.
Source: Dayton Daily News
Jennifer Brunner gaining momentum for U.S. Senate
by on 04.16.2010
After the DCCC turned its back on Secretary of the State Jennifer Brunner despite her high polling numbers, Brunner is now showing how running an extremely strong grassroots campaign can change the winds of a race.
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Finally, Ohio voters and the nation are seeing what we knew from the beginning: That Jennifer Brunner is a force to be reckoned with. She’s an established leader, incredible progressive, and very much needed in the Senate.
There’s less than 3 weeks left until the May 4th primary and over 40% of Ohio voters claiming to be undecided. What will bring a candidate to victory—throwing money at the voters, or driving around on a bus and speaking with them face to face?
Source: Women's Campaign Forum
Media Release: Brunner Statement on Fisher Fund Raising Problems
by on 04.16.2010
The following statement may be attributed to Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Jennifer Brunner:
With millions of Americans paying taxes yesterday on April 15th and Tea Party protestors circling their wagons at the Ohio Statehouse, Ohioans should be troubled about the campaign fund raising problems of my primary election opponent, Lee Fisher, who vowed at a Cleveland City Club debate Tuesday that he would work to curb Wall Street abuses that have hurt Ohioans.
Our current severe and prolonged economic recession was ignited when the practices of "banks too big to fail" left America's financial sector in peril of collapsing. Big banks and Wall Street financial institutions were bailed out with massive infusions of hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars. Their careless and greedy financial strategies had left them insufficiently capitalized to withstand historically high mortgage home foreclosure rates. The real estate bubble burst in no small part because of insufficient regulation and lax oversight of the financial services industry by Congress. Many of the members of Congress in both the House and Senate have fared handsomely with large contributions and excessive amounts spent on lobbying them for favorable regulation of the banking industry that fed and rewarded this corporate greed.
Over the last ten years, financial firms spent $3.4 billion dollars lobbying the Washington--both the Administration and Congress. These firms spent $114 million on lobbying in 2008 alone, the year of the collapse. Some firms failed; others merged; others sold additional shares of stock to stay afloat. Of those that have survived, the vast majority were handed over taxpayer funds with little requirement for the kinds of sacrifices and concessions everyday Ohioans now face with job losses, credit freezes, skyrocketing interest rates and penalties, loss of their homes and going without medical care. And to the anger of so many Americans, their CEOs and highest level employees continued to receive eye-popping bonuses as part of compensation packages that continue to encourage the culture that put us here.
Banking reforms loom large in the minds of the American public. Congress will be called on to make the hard decisions that will keep Americans and their families safe from the peril that they saved the banks from. Candidates and members of Congress must stop asking for and taking funds from the financial firms they regulate and give money to. If Lee Fisher is really as serious about curbing Wall Street abuses as he says he is, he should confront his fund raising problems: he should stop asking for and taking money from the very financial firms he would regulate as a member of the U.S. Senate. Soliciting and taking money from PACs and executives of financial institutions saved by the American public with hard-earned tax dollars is irresponsible and guts trust in our government officials.
My opponent, Lee Fisher, said as recently as last week that his performance in office is not affected by whom he solicits and receives money from, citing his days in the Attorney General's office. Obviously, he believes that he, unlike so many others, can do the difficult work of reforming banking regulation even if he asks for and takes money from Wall Street's top officials and banking PACs. The American public watched as Congress was paralyzed during the health care reform debate by the competing and conflicting demands of the many interests that have given its members massive sums of money. We need a new kind of leader that elevates people and their real concerns over the paternalistic interests of institutions that have failed time and again to restore prosperity and the American dream to Ohio and American families.
It's disappointing that Lt. Gov. Fisher, who resigned his position as Ohio's chief job creation officer in February 2009, has without apology solicited and taken tens of thousands of dollars from PACs and executives tied directly to TARP funds, all the while saying, "Trust me." He's solicited and received contributions that include $20,000 from the PACS of financial institutions receiving billions of TARP dollars and nearly $20,000 in large contributions from senior financial firm executives.
Source: Read more
Jennifer Brunner gets standing ovation in Shaker Heights, Lee Fisher’s base
by on 04.15.2010
I went to an event in Shaker Heights last night, organized among eastern suburban Democratic clubs, which featured Jennifer Brunner. . . . The room was full, largely women, specifically the kind of women who are active in eastern Cuyahoga County. The kind of women who would once fill a room in Shaker Hts. for Lee Fisher.
At the end of the Q&A, Brunner got a standing ovation. In Lee Fisher’s home suburb. Where Lee has been running for office for 30 years. Did I mention this was held in Shaker Heights?
Source: Read more
Brunner Blasts Fisher for Negative Tone
by on 04.15.2010
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Brunner brought her Senate campaign, and her newly christened campaign bus, “The Courage Express,” to the Mahoning Valley yesterday. The bus is a refitted school bus that her campaign recently bought on eBay for $2,050.
Brunner started her day with a non-campaign speech at a commencement ceremony for graduates of the Mahoning County Drug Court before visiting Aesir Metals at the Castlo Industrial Park in Struthers. From there, she went to V&M Star in Trumbull County.
Brunner said momentum for her campaign is strong, but lamented that Fisher “has decided to go rather negative,” recently taking a directive she had issued in her role as secretary of state and using “Republican talking points to call it something it really isn’t.” The directive in question involved requirements for voters who chose to switch parties.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s expected because we know his reputation from other campaigns,” she said.
Brunner also acknowledged she got “a little fed up” with Fisher when he kept referring to her by her first name during the candidates’ debate Tuesday at the City Club in Cleveland. “I was elected in my own right and he was elected as part of a team with the governor,” she remarked. “If we can’t show respect to each other, how do we expect the public to respect the government?”
The campaign bus has gotten good response on campaign stops, Brunner said. “Think about the memories people have of school buses,” she said. “Plus, it’s a little homespun. People like that personal touch.”
The bus has a couple of personal connections for Brunner. It was manufactured by American Harvester, where her father used to work, and her father-in-law was a bus driver. Her campaign had investigated renting a bus, which she said would have cost in excess of $8,000.
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Source: Business Journal Daily
Rethinking the Ohio Dem Primary
by on 04.15.2010
. . . Dems in OH and DC have begun to whisper that Brunner may just pull out a come-from-behind primary victory. It's a long-shot, they say, but even those who have worked against her behind the scenes say it's possible.
An OH-connected Dem who is officially neutral but loosely affiliated with the Fisher team said, "It's an open race. I wouldn't be surprised if either of them pulls it out."
Political observers in OH say in what many expect will be a low turnout primary, Brunner could be better positioned due to her connection with the base.
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Brunner, Local Mayors Talk Jobs at V&M
by on 04.15.2010
A U.S. Senate hopeful made several campaign stops in the area Wednesday, including one at V&M Star, one of the few local businesses in the Mahoning Valley in the process of a major expansion.
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, stopped at the plant to spend a few minutes speaking to Girard Mayor Jim Melfi and Niles Mayor Ralph Infante.
"We've lost a lot over a decade, and we are tired of cutting back," Melfi said. "We want to give people the services they deserve."
The mayors said they want federal elected officials to get more dollars to this area and help get more people working.
While V&M Star is one of the more positive business stories to happen in the area, in recent years there have been plenty of negative ones, like in Niles, where their major employer just pulled out.
"We just lost G.E., and we now have a big building we need to get filled," said Infante.
Brunner said the Mahoning Valley is an area she won't forget if she is elected and that she will do what she can to help the area grow.
Brunner also made stops in Youngstown and at the Girard Multigenerational Center.
Source: WYTV-33 (Youngstown)
Six Graduate From Mahoning Drug Court
by on 04.15.2010
Six valley residents are taking a big step forward in their battle with drugs.
The group graduated Wednesday morning from the Mahoning County Common Pleas Drug Court.
On hand to congratulate each one was Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who started the first adult felony drug court in Franklin County.
Each graduate went through at least a year of rehabilitation and is required to be at least six months sober to receive their diploma.
They also have to be in school or have a job to finish the program.
Source: WYTV-33 (Youngstown)
Brunner Makes Campaign Stop in Struthers
by on 04.14.2010
STRUTHERS, Ohio- Ohio Secretary of state Jennifer Brunner was in Struthers Wednesday to tour new businesses in the city.
Brunner toured the Castlo Industrial Park, which she said has used innovation to create jobs.
"A major theme of our campaign has been about courage," Brunner said.
She said the purpose of the tour is to get a chance to meet people one-on-one.
"We've been purposely running a grassroots campaign because we think it's a better way to reach voters and for voters to see who they're getting," Brunner said.
Source: Read more
Ohio’s U.S. Senate hopefuls Brunner, Fisher debate in Cleveland
by on 04.14.2010
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Fisher, given the chance to question Brunner directly in front of a banquet hall crowd of about 400, asked why she hasn't offered to support him if he wins the nomination.
Brunner said her role as Ohio's elections chief requires her neutrality to avoid the appearance of partisan bias. "I've never endorsed a candidate yet the whole time I've been secretary of state," she said later.
Brunner complained about Fisher calling her "Jennifer" in debate comments and said he should address her as Secretary of State. She later told reporters she felt the treatment was disrespectful.
Fisher said he meant no disrespect. "Frankly, if I had thought that was an issue, I wouldn't have done it. I want her to call me Lee, but I'm happy from now on to call her Secretary of State," he said.
Fisher said he wants to serve in the Senate to reverse Washington policies that he said have harmed Ohio. He specifically mentioned tax incentives that have meant the loss of jobs to other countries.
Brunner said she was determined to inspire trust. She also said it was up to voters to determine whether Fisher had made the right move by quitting as Ohio's development director last year amid the recession.
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Source: Newark Advocate
Brunner Senate Campaign Video Calls Out Fisher Hypocrisy on Negative Campaigning
by on 04.13.2010
U.S. Senate hopeful Jennifer Brunner released a campaign video today that calls out her Democratic Party rival on his pledge that he "hasn't" and he "won't" engage in negative campaigning - despite his long history of engaging in it.
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| Click image to watch video |
The Brunner campaign launched the video after Fisher pushed Democratic voters in an email to sign a petition about a directive she issued as Secretary of State and falsely accused her of requiring "loyalty oaths" from primary voters who change between the two major political parties.
Fisher's attack mimics Republican attacks on Brunner for issuing a directive requiring primary voters who switch parties between the two major political parties to sign a form required by law that they support the principles of their new party. The directive offers guidance to county elections officials about how to implement a law that has been on the books for almost 60 years and used by many boards of elections throughout the state.
Brunner said the directive is needed to instruct counties that the law must be applied uniformly, especially in light of the increasing number of absentee ballots being cast in Ohio.
Fisher's campaign has been funded largely from high-dollar contributions from wealthy and special-interest contributors. Yet, he remains virtually tied with Brunner's scrappy, grassroots campaign that raises large numbers of small dollar donations. His latest attack picks up the mantle of the GOP, even adopting their characterization of the forms as a "loyalty oath," in attacking Brunner's actions as Secretary of State.
In the new video, Brunner uses recent footage of Fisher condemning negative campaigning:
"I hate negative campaigning," Fisher says during a Feb. 28 appearance before the Northeast Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus. "I will not run a negative campaign in the primary. I haven't and I won't."
Source: Press Release
Brunner campaign to stop in Willoughby Hills
by on 04.12.2010
U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jennifer Brunner and her Courage Express bus tour will make a stop Wednesday in Willoughby Hills.
Brunner, who is currently Ohio Secretary of State, will appear at National College, 27557 Chardon Road. The bus will be on site from 4 to 4:45 p.m.
Brunner plans to speak with students and faculty as part of her appearance, said Julie Daniels of the campaign.
Source: News Herald
NO COST, NOT A FUNDRAISER Meet and Greet with US Senate Candidate Jennifer Brunner
by on 04.12.2010
Ohio Secretary of State and realNEO member Jennifer Brunner shows love for realNEO, so there is certainly much to support about her (besides thanking her for cleaning up the Secretary of State's office)... and she is running for US Senate, so now is your chance...
Find out more this coming Saturday, as guests of State Representatives Mike Foley and Matt Patten, at a NO COST, NOT A FUNDRAISER Meet and Greet with Ohio Secretary of State and US Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner.
Source: Real NEO
Editorial: Crossover voter directive backs law
by on 04.11.2010
But poor timing and related confusion aside, we can't blame Brunner for trying to stick to the letter and spirit of the law, as it appears she's doing.
Understandably, it may come as an inconvenience to voters in those counties where the statute was interpreted differently and/or not strictly enforced.
That said, we feel Geauga County elections officials are right to now follow Brunner's directive.
Also understandable is that many of those same voters — as well as some in counties that have enforced the law — may find it disagreeable. If so, we encourage them to express their views to their state legislators.
Source: News Herald