Redfern: GOP should've focused on candidates, message instead of Brunner

COLUMBUS - Ohio Democratic Party chair Chris Redfern said that Ohio Republicans would have been better off in the 2008 Election cycle if they had focused their efforts on their candidates and message instead of filing lawsuits and going after Democratic Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

Redfern said that not since current U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain) has Ohio had a Secreaty of State as tough and fair as Brunner.

Redfern said that he believes the only person in Ohio who thought that there would be problems with the elections was Ohio Republican Party deputy chair Kevin DeWine.

"I believe that Kevin's focus on Jennifer Brunner, who's not on the ballot, gave us an opportunity to build upon our strengths," Redfern said.

Redfern said that if the Republicans' "vaunted 72-hour program" had existied, he didn't see it in 2008.

"Had the Republicans would have focused on their candidates and their message, if they had one, I think they would have been an equal opponent," Redfern said.

Redfern pointed to what he said was Brunner's being recognized nationally for her efforts to open up the election process with transparency and credibility.

Redfern spoke about the election in a press conference Wednesday.