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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Driehaus Foe's State House Campaign Buoyed By $$$ From Texas: Brockmeier's Top Donor Is In-Law Employed By Oil/Gas Driller Eying Ohio

A Schlumberger Truck On The Move Recently In The Shale Fields
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ever hear the saying, Don't mess with Texas. Word has quietly spread this week among some Democrats in the 31st House District that Luke Brockmeier's biggest financial supporter is from Texas and an employee of Schlumberger, the world's largest oilfield services company.  Brockmeier is running against incumbent State Rep. Denise Driehaus, who is sponsoring HB 345 that imposes a moratorium on fracking by drillers tapping natural gas fields in Ohio.  Driehaus is concerned that fracking could contaminate water supplies -- she wants an EPA study proving the process is safe.  Campaign finance reports on file with the Secretary of State's office show Brockmeir raised $9,095 last year, and 82% of the money came from the Sclumberger employee in Snyder, Tex.  That community is a small town in the oilfields near Lubbock.  Brockmeier calls any attempt to paint him as a backer of fracking or pawn of the oil industry as character assassination.  He says the money has come from family, not frackers.

The 31st is a newly created district with 5,555 registered Democrats among its 57,819 voters.  In 2008, when Obama and Hillary drew record turnout, there were 4,869 Dems who voted.  This year, the numbers will be far less without a presidential contest headlining the ballot.
 The 31st comprises a large chunk of Cincinnati's East Side, including Clifton and Hyde Park, and several suburbs like Deer Park and Amberley Village.  Whoever gets the Democratic nomination March 6 is almost certain to win the seat in the November General Election.  Driehaus had to move into the new district from her West Side neighborhood in order to run.  In contrast, Brockmeier is a longtime resident who lives in Madisonville, a fact he's been pointing out to voters.  He's also been aggressive in portraying Driehaus as a pro-life candidate -- she supported three bills to limit abortion rights in the current legislative session.  Now, he seems to be under pressure about the campaign donations linked to an oilfield drilling operation that's setting up operations in Ohio.

Brockmeier, in a statement e-mailed to The Daily Bellwether, says the Texas donor is his mother-in-law.  He said he is opposed to fracking "because I'm an environmentalist."  But some Democrats -- none who want to go on the record -- say the campaign donations grabbed their attention because Schlumberger announced last month it bought a 140-acre site in Tuscarawas County.  The company plans to build an operation to put up and tear down drilling rigs in the Marcellus Shale gas fields -- the fields tapped by fracking.   In all, it plans to hire 250 workers and build a $2.89 million operation in the Strasburg Industrial Park.  You can read a news report about Schlumberger's expansion into Ohio by clicking here.


This is the complete text of the statement Brockmeier e-mailed to The Daily Bellwether about the campaign donations (two that totaled $7,500) from  Texas:

"I've always been anti-fracking because I'm an environmentalist. Denise (who took corporate money from Duke) has had 3 years to act, but is suddenly anti-fracking now that it's in the news.
I'm also anti-oil and anti-coal in Ohio, because they're not sustainable industries. But I've taken money from Texas!  From somebody with the same name as my treasurer, who is my wife!
Yes, I've taken money from Big In-Law.
My mother-in-law is a longtime progressive donor because she's a pro-choice, pro-LGBT equality activist. She's also a part-time receptionist at an oil company.
She has donated to me some of the money she inherited after the recent deaths of her own parents, who were both government employees, because she believes in my cause. She loves me like a son, since both of my parents died when I was in my early 20s.
I'd appreciate it if we could skip the character assassinations and the attacks on my family and stick to which candidate will best represent the progressive voters of this district."

On his website, Brockmeier has been critical of fracking:
"Cincinnatians need to stand united against injection fracking, which is the injection of millions of gallons of chemically-tainted drilling byproducts into the Ohio River watershed in Eastern Ohio. That, for the record, is thepositive way of describing fracking. More outrageously, Cincinnati sees no benefit from this process; the state tax receipts are negligible, and the minor bump in employment is elsewhere.
Proposal: we need a huge state-level investment in water testing and treatment in Cincinnati, since we bear the entirety of the external risks. Until we get that assurance, we need a moratorium on this irresponsible process."

On her website, Driehaus touts her cred as treehugger:


"Denise Driehaus is an environmentalist. She held one of the first town hall meetings on fracking at the Esquirer Theater, and introduced legislation that would place a moratorium on fracking in the State of Ohio. Driehaus has previously been endorsed by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters."


[UPDATE: 2/12/2012 10:37 a.m -- Luke Brockmeier has published some biographical information about his family.  It is probably the warmest, most loving piece a Cincinnati officeseeker has written about his roots and formative years in a long, long time.  Maybe the best ever.  Take a moment and read it by clicking here.]

53 comments:

  1. Driehaus took money from the Duke PAC!!!! Not someone who happens to work for Duke Energy, but their PAC. How can one be an environmentalist and take money from the area's largest polluters??

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    1. It sure is alot mother for a mother in law to give without expectations for some return. I wish I had a mother in law like that!

      We need something with the track record to get things done and bring influence and tax dollars back to Cincinnati, as our city desparately needs. Out of the three I am leaning toward Tranter.

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  2. Cincinnati Liberal LawyerFebruary 11, 2012 4:35 PM

    Unfortunately, nobody is perfect in this world.

    However, we are learning Luke B. couldn't raise local money to be a viable local candidate.

    As for Duke. The company is assisting in underwriting the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this year. President Obama will be renominated there. This makes Duke evil?

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    1. Driehaus had been raising money for 2 years, Luke for less than 2 months when the report had been filed. Duke is NOT underwriting the convention at all. It is at a stadium where they had naming rights. But if she is a good environmentalist, why would she take money from Duke, AEP, NiSource, or the Farm Bureau (big agg business)?

      And how is it she doesn't even know where her brother works? (Best efforts for Don Driehaus more than once).

      Finally, hardly ANY of her money is from the district.

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  3. Chris from CliftonFebruary 11, 2012 5:47 PM

    It seems as if Driehaus and her supporters don't have any real issues to run on -- and they must be terrified. Because this is just petty. Really, attacking a candidate for taking money from his mother-in-law? I hope Luke gets even more support after seeing how slimy her campaign has become. I know Luke personally, and his integrity is beyond reproach. But Driehaus has shown her true colors -- that she is a thug more desperate to be elected than for playing above board.

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    1. Denise Driehaus is a thug? You called her a thug and slimy? So what are your insults and name calling if not slimy and thuggish.

      I am not going to make up my mind based on Brockmeier's fundraising and a few Denise votes in the General Assembly that I disagree with. I am going to make up my mind when I see people verbally abusing her as a "thug." You have not helped your candidate.

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    2. Chris from CliftonFebruary 11, 2012 6:33 PM

      These kind of tactics are thug-like and slimy. She is questioning her opponent's integrity -- insinuating his written stance isn't his real one. That isn't debating the issues and isn't an above-board campaign tactic. She knew the contribution came from family and she knew his stance on fracking -- since it has been posted on his website for a month now.

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    3. Distorting your opponent's record and being untruthful aren't West Side Values.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpuS--BaxHw

      I guess when Denise moved across town, she got some new values.

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  4. Right, it's coincidence that his money came from someone in Texas who works for a fracker. Total coincidence. Glad this is out and in the open.

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    1. Clearly, Big Oil hired her so that they could one day get an environmentalist Democrat in the minority! That's what I picked up on my tinfoil hat, too.

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  5. Abortion is great. Denise Driehaus tragically supports life. I know Luke Brockmeier and I know he loves abortion as much as I do. Vote pro-abortion, vote Luke.

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    1. Princess Goddess AjaFebruary 11, 2012 7:42 PM

      Your mother should have aborted you.

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    2. Shawn Baker's BoyfriendFebruary 13, 2012 3:57 PM

      Luke Brockmeier is sooooooo dreamy. The fact that he fully supports killing babies is just icing on the cake. XOXO Muah!!!

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  6. I find it hard to believe that my family is being attacked for supporting my campaign.

    Want to meet my family? If you're going to slander people, at least know what they look like.
    http://lukeforohio.com/2012/02/11/im-proud-to-introduce-my-family/

    And for the record, I'm opposed to all unsustainable energy. The benefits are ephemeral and the damage is permanent.

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    1. A person running for political office should know the legal definition of slander before throwing out the term in a conversation. It lowers your credibility if you do not, and throwing it out in this manner might make you appear as thin skinned and maybe your disposition won't be able to handle the pressure if elected or as the election nears.

      Have someone else dress you, when was the last time you saw someone wear a red shirt with a suit, with the exception being for a valentine's or a heart benefit? The suit also looked like it came from goodwill.

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    2. Anonymous 8:46am -- do you have a criticism that is actually on the issues?

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  7. It looks like Driehaus is taking a page out of the GOP playbook - take your own weakness (taking campaigns from Duke etc) and paint them on someone else.

    Sad that even in a Democrat primary race, we can't get away from the disgusting way Republicans typically run campaigns.

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  8. Why is Driehaus waging personal attacks on an opponent's family by using a whispering campaign that makes an obviously false charge? It is money from the guy's mother-in-law, for Christ sake!

    Driehaus previously put out a video claiming that personal attacks on her family wasn't proper, yet her campaign is doing just that. That is shameful and is so disappointing for a Democratic candidate to use. Does she have no other criticism to offer beyond personal attacks?

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    1. Do you have any evidence Driehaus is behind this?

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    2. You really are asking that question? Don't be naive.

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    3. So the answer is No, you do not have evidence.

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    4. And being native just comes natural to you.

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    5. Whine Me Whine MeFebruary 13, 2012 9:29 PM

      Will you please present whatever proof you have of Driehaus being behind this story?

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    6. Let me chime in on this. Who else would it be? The blogger has sources, but won't name them. It's pretty obvious this is the typical whisper campaign. Who do you think starts those? It's like when Someone filed a compliant against Driehaus and Brockmeier. Was there a doubt who was behind that? Nope. Someone tips off a blogger about this and you question who did it? Seriously?

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  9. Isn't it refreshing to know Luke states "which candidate will best represent the progressive voters in the district"? Hey Luke, how about the rest of the Democratic voters in the district who are not as liberal as yourself? Since the person who wins this primary is very likely to win the general election, how about all the people from the district? From your statement, can one take you are only interested in progressive causes and you will not work with others to resolve issues which reach across the political spectrum. Is it progressiveness all the way and all others will not have a seat at your table?

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    1. Driehaus also claims to be a progressive -- even if her voting record belies that claim. She has been successful in passing bills with the help of Kasich -- anti-choice legislation. Is that the kind of bi-partisanship you want? If so, then vote for her - or Tranter, since they share the same views on that issue. I would rather have a pro-choice, true progressive as a representative.

      Finally, the district as a whole is progressive. No one is going to have the same opinion on every issue as every single resident in the district. But some one represents the district at large better than others. Personally, I think that someone is Luke.

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    2. The fact is- there is only ONE candidate in this race that has ever sponsored and passed legislation in this state- Tranter. It's great to try and paint yourself as the progressive candidate, but if you can't advance any legislation what good are you? Tranter would best represent the "whole" district, progressives and conservatives, because he could effectively pass legislation that would actually have an impact.

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    3. So, when you say "whole" district, I presume you mean to leave out women. Tranter's stance on the heartbeat bill make it clear it is not I favor if supporting the most basic right of women, the right to control what happens to their own body. It is odd that Driehaus's only difference on this is the heartbeat bill, which is why her 2010 right to life enforcement did not happen again. That and she's trying to hide her anti-choice past.

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    4. No, I don't think saying the "whole" district means leaving out women, or anyone else for that matter. If you don't think there are a large subset of voters (including democrats) that support pro-life candidates in this district then you are naive. Certainly I'm sure Tranter's position will alienate pro-choice voters. He has taken a firm and consistent stand on this issue, unlike Driehaus- and if that costs him votes in the primary or the election so be it. Personally I think we need more candidates that are willing to stick by the supposedly "unpopular" position despite political ramifications. Although I disagree with Brockmeier's position on the abortion issue I do respect that its consistent and that- like Tranter- he isn't hiding from it the way Driehaus does. I would rather have someone elected that sticks by their principles than a politician that changes her mind based on the winds of the current political climate.

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    5. You are right, Driehaus is hiding.

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  10. Evidence? What evidence was there to make the allegation by Dem Party party members in the first place, other than those part of the Driehaus campaign, which can't be a large group, looking to make personal attacks on his family I hopes of fooling some voters?

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  11. This article clearly displays the problems of both Driehaus and Brockmeier, one is a carpetbagger and the other is completely inexperienced. Both candidates are getting money from special interests apparently.

    If a Democratic voter wants more of the same ineffectiveness, politics as usual, and advancement through attacks and by stepping on others; vote for one of them.

    Terry Tranter is the only viable candidate for this district. In his 17 years as a legislature, Terry Tranter has passed bills into law, served as chair for a major committee, and represented all interests not just special interests. He is clearly the best candidate.

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    1. I am sure Brockmeier considers his mother-in-law special, calling her a special interest is nothing but another personal at attack. Now both Conservative anti-choice candidates campaigns are attacking the progessive canddiate. Is this a Democratic primary or is Brockmeier facing Republicans already?

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    2. While I am not acting on behalf of any campaign, I guess you are naive enough to think that the thousands of dollars given to BOTH Driehaus and Brockmeier dont come without some expectations; this applies whether you are conservative, liberal, Republican or Democrat.

      Dont voters have a right to know these facts and make their own decisions.

      That was my point.

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    3. It would appear you did not read the article or my response. The whisper campaign was started over money Brockmeier got from his Mother-in-law, not from special interest. It is a personal attack to falsely claim anything else. Driehaus has taken funding directly from corporate PACs, while Brockmeier has taken no corporate PAC money. To say Brockmeier and Driehaus are alike on this issue is so incredibly wrong.
      Voters do have the right to know the facts, they should not be subjected to falsehoods and personal attacks. With that in mind, letting your first sentence in your last comment go unchallenged will be my course of action.

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  12. What a mess. I am curious to see if the Driehaus campaign will respond to these charges, as I've yet to see any actual evidence of the truthfulness of these accusations. I wouldn't have expected personal attacks like this in a provincial democratic primary. I agree we should be debating the candidates clear differences in several issues, but it seems like the back and forth between Brockmeier and Driehaus will hurt each candidate in some respects. I'm not sure Mr. Brockmeier should be making these accusations without specific proof- I agree that shows some inexperience. At the same time I wouldn't put it past the Driehaus campaign to stir this up either.

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    1. Chris from CliftonFebruary 13, 2012 3:45 PM

      What accusations are you saying that Brockmeier has made? I have read everything posted and all he has said is saying his mother-in-law gave him money to change stated stance on an issue is ridiculous -- and it is. He has made NO personal attacks. He was the one attacked.

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    2. I didn't say Brockmeier made a personal attack. As far as accusations, scroll up and read his own post on this blog. He's definitely accusing someone of something. You don't throw out words like slander and attack and then turn around and say thay aren't directed at someone. Before he puts out an accusation like that he should be ready to provide specific details to support his argument.

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    3. HE was attacked. Did you read the story? He directed his words at the unnamed "some Democrats".

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    4. Is there any reference on Luke's site where his mother-in-law is currently gainfully employed or just her past work history? Is he ashamed for people to know where his mother-in-law is currently employed?

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    5. Anon 9:11am,

      Why are you or anyone else bring up his mother-in-law? Oh, right, you are part of the Driehaus whisper campaign to mount personal attacks against an opponent's family.

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    6. Didn't his in-laws company provide services in the oil field drilling operations? Does anyone associate oil drilling with being a environmentally friendly? Much of the by oil drilling by products contaminate the environment.

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    7. And you are still attacking the mother-in-law, no sense of honor in this Driehaus whisper campaign.

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    8. I fail to see an attack of Luke's mother-in-law, maybe you should stop reading more into things than what is actually written.

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    9. Whether you are making up lies or even just planting the seeds of innuendo, it is an attack. Brockmeier provided a clear response to the whisper campaign and yet you still are trying to whisper. That's continuing the attack!

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    10. Prior to Luke coming out with his recent story, did others know this was his alleged mother-in-law? Where on the campaign finance disclosure does it state this is his mother-in-law? The report does state where she is employed. How many years has his mother-in-law been in the oil drilling industry? Isn't the oil field drilling industry one of the biggest polluting industries? Can it be reasonable argued, Luke's campaign took funds from an individual with many years in oil drilling industry , and is currently employed in the oil industry and the person is currently employed by a company which could be utilizing the controversial fraking technique? Did her current employer purchase property in Ohio to explore the possibility of fraking for oil. I am not sure of the above answers, and would appreciate some input.

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  13. 25 posts to confirm that Democrats are very immature.

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    1. Of which you are responsible for 10%

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  14. Strange how the anti-cincypac crowd has taken an interest in this story...

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  15. Has Luke ever observed an abortion or imagined the horrific pain the unborn child experiences during the procedure?

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    1. I am guessing you are either a Dreihaus supporter, maybe one of the few Tranter supporters out there, or a Republican. You are not a Mainstream Democratic voter in the 31st District.

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    2. Can the fetus being aborted feel pain? Most people go to prison for a long time for extinguishing a life.

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    3. Can you find a sense of relevance?

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