March 23rd UPDATE
Republican Party of Cuyahoga County
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The Republican Party of Cuyahoga County Central and Executive Committees voted on March 23rd to accept the report of the Disciplinary Committee.  Representative Tom Patton has been censured and prevented from receiving any endorsement through 2024 from The Republican Party of Cuyahoga County.  He has also been removed from the Central & Executive Committees.

March 22 UPDATE
Republican Party of Cuyahoga County
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The Disciplinary Committee of The Republican Party of Cuyahoga County announces its findings, calls for Patton to be removed from his official position in the Republican Party.  

WHEREAS, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County (“the Party”) has formed an Ad Hoc Disciplinary Committee (“Disciplinary Committee”) pursuant to the Party’s bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order;

WHEREAS, on or about February 2, 2023, the Chairman of the Party has referred the name of Thomas F. Patton for consideration for discipline;
WHEREAS, it has been alleged that Thomas F. Patton is a party official; and
WHEREAS, this Disciplinary Committee has sent notice to Thomas F. Patton that it will hold a trial under Roberts Rules of Order for purposes of taking disciplinary action against him, including identifying the charge and specifications made against him, the procedure the trial would take, and the time and place for the trial;
NOW THEREFORE, the Disciplinary Committee, having held the trial on March 6, 2023, finds as follows:
1. Thomas F. Patton is a party official, to wit a member of the Party’s Central Committee, having been elected as precinct committee member for Strongsville 2-B at the March 17, 2020 primary election.
2. On November 16, 2022, the Ohio House Republican Caucus held a caucus vote for the purposes of selecting a new Speaker of the House for the upcoming 135th General Assembly.
3. At the November 16 caucus meeting, the Ohio House Republican Caucus ultimately selected Representative Derek Merrin as Speaker-Elect.
4. At the November 16 caucus meeting, there was a vote of acclamation for unanimous consent for the caucus members to support Derek Merrin, to which none of the caucus members present, including Thomas F. Patton, voiced any objection.
5. On December 22, 2022, the president of the Strongsville GOP PAC texted Thomas F. Patton of talk the Strongsville GOP PAC president had heard about an attempt to “push Merrin out of speakership.”
6. Thomas F. Patton denied hearing of any such attempt.
7. On December 23, 2022, Thomas F. Patton texted the Strongsville GOP PAC president that he had received a message from a Brian Mike, who said Thomas F. Patton “was part of a movement to overthrow the Merrin election. I called BULLSHIT.” Brian Mike said Thomas F. Patton “was supporting Stephens in this ‘challenge.’ I haven’t spoken to him since the night he lost. ON MY GRANDKIDS EYES!!! Is this Brian Mike just a shit starter.”
8. On January 2, 2023, the Strongsville GOP PAC president again texted Thomas F. Patton about the Merrin-Stephens battle for Speaker.
9. Thomas F. Patton responded that same day and alleged that he had not talked to any of the “3 individuals looking at it.”
10. On January 3, 2023, the Strongsville GOP PAC president implored Thomas F. Patton not to vote for Stephens.
11. After denying any involvement with Stephens for the previous 11 days, Thomas F. Patton replied, “Merrin bad for me. He was planning doing RTW [right to work] & Prevailing wage bills.”
12. Although on January 2, 2023, Thomas F. Patton claimed that there were three individuals looking to push Merrin out, Thomas F. Patton later sent a contradictory text on January 3, 2023, to the Strongsville GOP PAC president that he “wasn’t sure who the alternative to Merrin would be till Sunday [January 1] night”, which was one day prior to when Thomas F. Patton had heard there were allegedly three individuals who were looking to push Merrin out.
13. In seconding Representative Merrin’s nomination for speaker, Representative James M. Hoops referenced the Ohio House GOP Caucus’ vote for unanimity.
14. The vote for unanimity has since been acknowledged by Representatives Sara Carruthers and Ron Ferguson.
15. On March 3, 2023, Thomas F. Patton submitted a written statement detailing his position and defense on the charge and specifications to the Committee.
16.Attached hereto are the following:
a. Notice of the trial;
b. Thomas F. Patton’s response;
c. Text message exchange between Thomas F. Patton and the Strongsville GOP PAC president; and
d. Screenshot of January 3, 2023, tweet from Jack Windsor.
17.Thomas F. Patton did not appear for the March 6, 2023, trial.
18. Thomas F. Patton is subject to discipline for (1) other “conduct that violates the spirit of [the RPCC Bylaws] * * *” (see Party Bylaws at Article II(C)(2)); (2) “conduct tending to injure the good name of the organization, disturb its well-being, or hamper it in its work,’ or the like * * *” (see Section 63:24 of Roberts Rules of Order); and (3) conduct contravening the Ethics portion of the Party’s Platform (“The Republican Party of Cuyahoga County (RPCC) commits itself to applying a code of high ethical standards in action, word, and deed, and encourages all of its members, including elected and public officials * * * to apply these standards in * * * personal characteristics of integrity, honesty, morality, civility, conviction, trust, and leadership, doing no harm in word or deed, transparency of actions * * *. Elected and appointed officials * * * and party leaders must demonstrate the highest commitment to ethics in their political campaigns and their terms of office. Republican elected officials and candidates should lead by example and exhibit ethical behavior, over and above standards * * *.”).
ACCORDINGLY, the Disciplinary Committee finds Thomas F. Patton guilty of the charge of violating Article II(C)(2) of the Party’s Bylaws.
The Disciplinary Committee hereby recommends that the Party’s Central and Executive Committees formally censure Thomas F. Patton.
The Disciplinary Committee further recommends the Party’s Central and Executive Committees remove Thomas F. Patton from their respective committees for the remainder of his term on each of those respective committees; and further recommends that Thomas F. Patton be prohibited from obtaining any and all endorsements from the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County from the effective date of this Resolution through the seating of a new Central Committee subsequent to the election of Central Committee precinct members to be held at the 2024 primary election.
BE IT SO RESOLVED THIS 10th DAY OF MARCH 2023.

See the full report here from the Disciplinary Committee 
Adopted in its entirety by The RPCC on March 23rd

rpcc_patton_discipline_resolution_attachments.pdf
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January 30, 2023 UPDATE - Strongsville GOP
Strongsville GOP Votes To Censure Representative Tom Patton
​Monday, January 30, 2023

A Resolution of Censure to Republican Representative Tom Patton Who Voted
in Favor of Newly Elected House Speaker Jason Stephens
Adopted by Strongsville GOP Membership on January 30, 2023

WHEREAS, Ohio Republicans achieved a majority of members in the 135th House of Representatives, with sixty-seven (67) members; while the Democratic Party achieved a minority of members, with thirty-two (32) members;

WHEREAS, on November 16, 2022 the Ohio House Republican Caucus elected Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) to be the Republican Caucus nominee for Speaker of the House;

WHEREAS, between December 22, 2023 and January 3, 2023, Representative Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) dishonestly and shamefully concealed his intention to vote for Representative Jason Stephens (R-Kitt Hill) for Speaker of the House from The Strongsville GOP Leaders and Members;

WHEREAS, on January 3, 2023, the 135th House of Representatives elected Representative Jason Stephens with a unanimous vote of all thirty two (32) Democratic Party members and a minority of twenty two (22) Republican members, including Representative Tom Patton, whom was part of the Republican Caucus that elected Derek Merrin as the Caucus’ nominee;

WHEREAS, Representative Stephens swore in with Democratic Party Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) holding a Bible for him to swear upon;

WHEREAS, Representative Tom Patton’s vote for Representative Stephens dishonors the vote of the Ohio House Republican Caucus, dishonors the historic brand of the Republican Party, and misrepresents the voice of Ohio Republican voters who voted for Representative Tom Patton in order to defeat the dangerous and perverse Democratic Party Caucus agenda, not to empower it;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Strongsville GOP hereby CENSURES Representative Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), and thus Resolves to prohibit any and all future Strongsville GOP endorsements and financial or in kind assistance he would otherwise receive as an elected official or candidate for any office for the period of 2 years.
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This CENSURE shall be null and void if and only if Representative Tom Patton takes affirmative steps to honor his pledge to the Republican Caucus, by taking affirmative measures to remedy his wrongdoing. After taking such measures, Representative Patton may speak at any meeting of the Strongsville GOP to argue that the measures he has taken are sufficient to nullify the Strongsville GOP censure. The Strongsville GOP will then entertain motions to nullify the censure of Representative Tom Patton and take a vote, which shall be decided by a 2/3 majority of the members.

Strongsville GOP Censure of Representative Tom Patton
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January 18, 2023 UPDATE - Strongsville GOP
​Letter to Members & Supporters
January 18, 2023

Strongsville GOP Members and Supporters,

It is with great disappointment that I feel compelled to share this information about our State Representative, Tom Patton's decision to break ranks with the Ohio House Republican Super Majority and join ranks with the Democrats to choose their preferred candidate for Speaker of The Ohio House.

On January 3rd of this year, Representative Patton, along with 21 other Republican State House Members, turned their backs to the Super Majority Republican caucus and joined all 32 Democrats to choose a moderate Republican as their Speaker of The House instead of electing the candidate chosen by the Republican Caucus. Not only did he do this deal with the Democrats, he did so while purposefully misleading the Strongsville GOP Leadership in writing and by phone for the 2 weeks leading up to his defection, claiming consistently that he had no intention to defect -- only to do just that.

The Strongsville GOP Board met last Wednesday and voted unanimously to submit our concerns in writing to Representative Patton and ask that he present his case for this defection to you, the members. We pledged to print his response in this email and afford him an audience at a Special Meeting of the Strongsville GOP on January 30th at 7pm at The Best Western Event Center.

I'm further saddened to report that yesterday, Representative Patton responded indirectly through staff that he would not be offering you any justification for this action. Furthermore, his plans to attend the January 30th meeting and address his actions to you directly are unclear. (See his staff's response after this letter) We sincerely hope that Representative Patton reconsiders and chooses to respect those Republicans that have supported him throughout his 20-year career as a REPUBLICAN elected official.

As Ohio's Largest Grassroots GOP organization, Strongsville GOP will always stand up and defend our conservative principles, defend the Republican Party and hold our elected officials accountable. On Behalf of the Members of The Strongsville GOP Board, I submit this letter and further details to you for your review and comment.

Shannon Burns
President, Strongsville GOP

We Want To Hear From You

After reviewing this statement and doing your own research, we want to hear from you. Please respond using the form below and share your opinion on this topic before Friday, January 27th. All respondents will be kept private.

STRONGSVILLE GOP MEETING OFFICIAL NOTICE

There will be an official meeting of the Strongsville GOP Membership
January 30th at 7pm
Best Western Event Center
15471 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136
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January 14, 2023 UPDATE - Strongsville GOP
STRONGSVILLE GOP BOARD
LETTER TO REPRESENTATIVE TOM PATTON

January 14, 2023

Thomas Patton
Ohio State Representative
District 17
77 South High Street, 11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215


Re: Speaker of the House Vote

Representative Patton:

This letter is being submitted to you on behalf of the Officers, Directors and Board Members of The Strongsville GOP relevant to the recent vote of the Ohio House of Representatives to select Jason Stephens as Speaker of the House over the Speaker candidate chosen by the Republican Caucus, Derek Merrin.

Following the recent statewide elections where Republicans increased their majority from a simple majority to a super majority in the Ohio House, Derek Merrin was elected by the Republican caucus to be the next Speaker of the House without dispute by you or others in the caucus. In fact it has been reported that you along with all other members of the caucus agreed to vote unanimously for Derrick Merrin for Speaker on January 3rd.

From December 22, 2022 through January 2, 2023 (the day prior to the vote for Speaker), you confirmed both in writing and by phone to Strongsville GOP Leadership and its members that you planned to support the efforts of Derek Merrin in his quest to become the Speaker of the House. Even stating that you “appreciate his honesty for telling me” of his plans to push several free-market bills that would adjust union rules in Ohio. During this time, Strongsville GOP Leadership fought to correct what you led us to believe were false accusations in the media and with Republican leaders around the state. At no point did you announce your actual intention to vote with all 32 Democrat members and 21 fellow Republican members to choose an alternate Speaker.

Clearly, your decision to vote for Jason Stephens, a moderate Republican at best, over Derek Merrin who is a conservative and who would have been pushing conservative legislation during his term in office was something you purposefully concealed from us.
 
In submitting this letter to you, we are aware that your House District had been amended in 2022 in which a significant portion of Democratic based territory was added to your District. We are further aware that you are term limited and will likely run for election in the 24th State Senate District in 2024. With the Supreme Court under solid Republican control once again, we expect the new 24th Senate District to once again be a solid Republican district.

We are further aware of the following:

1.    Governor DeWine is a Republican;
2.    The Ohio Senate is controlled by a super majority of Republicans;
3.    The House has a super majority of Republicans;

As such, we see no viable reason for you or any of the other 21 Republicans to turn your back on the 67-member super Republican majority and collaborate with the Democrats as to the election of the moderate, Jason Stephens, as Speaker of the House. In essence, the majority of the Representatives who voted for Jason Stephens are Democrats. As such, you and the other 21 Republicans voted for the candidate as supported and presented by the Ohio Democratic House Representatives. Your candidate for Speaker was eventually sworn in while the darling of Planned Parenthood, Minority Leader Allison Russo, held the Bible.

When it was learned that you had voted for the moderate Jason Stephens, you advised Strongsville GOP Leadership in writing that “Merrin bad for me” (sic) and that you had objections as to Derek Merrin because he was in favor of conservative issues such as Right To Work and Prevailing Wage adjustments which were not favored by the Democrat/Liberal representatives.

[EDITORIAL NOTE ADDED TODAY: Derek Merrin was endorsed by his local trade unions and by ACT OHIO. These facts clearly calls this statement about his policy intentions into question]

In voting for Stephens, it appears that you voted for your own self interests and not for the interests of your constituency and all other Republicans, particularly conservative Republicans, not only in Northeast Ohio but in the State of Ohio.

Strongsville GOP Leadership feels strongly that you violated your duties of allegiance to fellow Republicans, and particularly conservative Republicans, who have provided support for you over your entire political career. In collaborating with the Democrats for the selection of the Speaker, you have made Northeast Ohio, and possibly the State of Ohio, a laughing stock among other state governments.

Allison Russo, House Minority Leader recently was quoted as saying “it is beneficial to us at times that they are divided”. This is the last thing that Ohioans, particularly Republican voters from Northeast Ohio, need to deal with. The actions of you and the other 21 Republicans clearly indicates a rift within the party and a clear lack of commitment to conservatism in the State of Ohio. There are absolutely no valid reasons for the 22 of you to break ranks with the remainder of the House Republicans to “make a deal” that is not in the best interest of the Republican Party who represent the clear majority of voters in the State of Ohio.

While our belief that your action is a strike to the heart and soul of the party, we believe that you deserve every opportunity to explain your vote and make your case to the membership. We request that you respond to this letter by Tuesday, January 17th and we pledge to publish this letter and your response together in its entirety to the Strongsville GOP email list, website and social media. We also would like to afford you the opportunity to address the membership directly at a special membership meeting on Monday, January 30th at 7pm at The Best Western Event Center. Thereafter, the members of Strongsville GOP shall determine what, if any response shall be deemed necessary.

Thank you for your time and attention.

With great disappointment,
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Strongsville GOP Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs
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RESPONSE FROM REPRESENTATIVE PATTON - January 17th

January 6, 2023
The Ohio Republican Party

Ohio Republican Party Resolution To Censure The 22 Republican Defectors Passed on January 6, 2023

A Resolution of Censure to Republican Representatives Who Voted in Favor of Newly Elected House Speaker Jason Stephens
SCC Members Josh Brown District 16 and Laura Rosenberger District 10
Co-Sponsors: Jake Warner, Sabrina Warner, Lisa Cooper, Bill Heck, Joe Miller, Doris Peters, Denise Verdi, Barbara Holwadel, Randy Law, Shannon Burns, Jessica Franz, Chris Maurer, Zoi Romanchuk, Stephanie Kremer, Mike Witte, Ron Maag, Anotontin Blake.

January 6, 2023

WHEREAS, Ohio Republicans achieved a majority of members in the 135th House of Representatives, with sixty-seven (67) members; while the Democratic Party achieved a minority of members, with thirty-two (32) members;

WHEREAS, on November 16, 2022 the Ohio House Republican Caucus elected Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) to be the Republican Caucus nominee for Speaker of the House;

WHEREAS, on January 3, 2023, the 135th House of Representatives elected Representative Jason Stephens (R-Kitt Hill) with a unanimous vote of all thirty two (32) Democratic Party members and a minority of twenty two (22) Republican members, each of whom were part of the Republican Caucus that elected Derek Merrin as the Caucus’ nominee;

WHEREAS, Representative Stephens swore in with Democratic Party Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) holding a Bible for him to swear upon;

WHEREAS, the twenty two Republican votes for Representative Stephens dishonors the vote of the Ohio House Republican Caucus, dishonors the historic brand of the Republican Party, and misrepresents the voice of Ohio Republican voters who collectively voted for these twenty two (22) members in order to defeat the dangerous and perverse Democratic Party Caucus agenda, not to empower it;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee (“ORPSCC”) hereby CENSURES the following twenty two (22) Republican Representatives:

1. Jason Stephens (Kit Hill),
2. Cindy Abrams (Harrison),
3. Monica R. Blasdel (Columbiana County),
4. Sara P. Carruthers (Hamilton),
5. Jon Cross (Kenton),
6. Al Cutrona (Canfield),
7. Jay Edwards (Nelsonville),
8. Haraz N. Ghanbari (Perrysburg),
9. Brett Hudson Hillyer (Uhrichsville),
10. Don Jones (Freeport),
11. Jeff LaRe (Violet Township),
12. Mike Loychick (Bazetta),
13. Kevin D. Miller (Newark),
14. Scott Oelslanger (North Canton),
15. Tom Patton (Strongsville),
16. Gail K. Pavliga (Portage County),
17. Bob Peterson (Washington Court House),
18. Tracey Richardson (Marysville),
19. Bill Seitz (Cincinnati),
20. D.J. Swearingen (Huron),
21. Bob Young (Green),
22. Jean Schmidt (Loveland).
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Article: Interview With Democrat Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/01/09/statehouse-coup-ohio-gop-bitterly-divided-by-deal-with-democrats-to-elect-house-speaker/

Democrat Leader Russo's Interview
“It is beneficial to us at times that they are divided,” the leader said

Article: Bipartisanship or Betrayal?

Cabal that elected Jason Stephens Ohio House speaker includes all Democrat representatives, Columbus lobbyists and a small minority of reneging House Republicans, collusion insiders say is all about power and money over principle and party

https://www.theohiopressnetwork.com/news/ohio/bipartisanship-or-betrayal/article_a72d83f4-9024-11ed-b739-b705575014cd.html
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Article: Ohio Value Voters: Gang of Twenty-Two

January 3rd, 2023, will go down in history, as a very sad day for the people of the State of Ohio. It was on this day that the “Gang of Twenty-Two” Republican Ohio House members violated the trust of the people of Ohio.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Gang-of-Twenty-Two-.html?soid=1101710997702&aid=dCsPfE7vOT4

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