Press

October 29, 2010

Rothenberg Report Shifts Renacci-Boccieri Race to "Lean Republican"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com ROTHENBERG REPORT SHIFTS RENACCI-BOCCIERI RACE TO “LEAN REPUBLICAN” Canton, OH—Independent analyst Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report has shifted the congressional race in Ohio’s 16^th congressional district from “Toss Up/Tilt Republican” to “Lean Republican”, signaling the growing likelihood of a Renacci victory over incumbent liberal Democrat John Boccieri next Tuesday. This week’s ratings shift marks the second time this month that Rothenberg has shifted the contest in the direction of a GOP victory, moving the race from the “Pure Toss Up” category at the start of October to “Toss Up/Lean Republican” earlier this month, and then to “Lean Republican” this week. “Stuart Rothenberg is one of the most highly respected, independent political analysts in the country and his view of this race certainly mirrors the growing momentum behind Jim Renacci’s campaign that we are seeing here on the ground in the 16^th district. That said, the only measure of this race that truly matters is the one taken next Tuesday when the voters decide whether they want to re-elect John Boccieri as a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi’s failed agenda, or whether they support Jim Renacci’s vision for smaller government, lower taxes and fiscal responsibility,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. With Rothenberg’s new rating, John Boccieri is now one of only eight incumbent Democrats nationwide whose races are rated as “Lean Republican” by the Rothenberg Report.
October 29, 2010 at 11:56 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

October 28, 2010

House Republican Leader John Boehner to Attend Renacci Rally in Canton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BOEHNER TO ATTEND RENACCI RALLY IN CANTON Canton, OH—On Saturday October 30^th begging at 1PM, House Republican Leader John Boehner will attend an early afternoon rally in support of Jim Renacci’s candidacy for Congress in Ohio’s 16^th district. “We are honored to have the next Speaker of the House, John Boehner, join us at this event as we head into the final weekend of the 2010 campaign. Mr. Boehner’s leadership both in Congress and on the campaign trail during this pivotal time in our history has been unmatched, and we could not be more pleased to have him lend his support to the strong momentum behind Jim Renacci’s candidacy,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said today. The event will conclude at 2PM and will be held outside the Renacci for Congress campaign headquarters, located at 2729 Fulton DR NW, Canton, OH.
October 28, 2010 at 12:24 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

October 16, 2010

Renacci Campaign Hauls in $580,000 in 3rd Quarter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com RENACCI CAMPAIGN HAULS IN $580,000 IN 3^rd QUARTER Canton, OH—Today, the Renacci for Congress campaign committee will file its quarterly report with the Federal Election Commission, showing total receipts of $581,119 for the third quarter of 2010. The campaign will report a cash-on-hand balance of $429,000 heading into the final month prior to Election Day. “I remain constantly humbled by the overwhelming political and financial support our campaign has received from individuals across the district. After suffering through the last two years during which John Boccieri’s unyielding loyalty to Nancy Pelosi’s failed agenda brought us double digit unemployment and trillions in new debt, the people of the 16^th district are clearly anxious for new, responsible, commonsense leadership in Washington,” Jim Renacci said today. While John Boccieri has consistently relied on Washington special interests and union bosses to finance his campaign—with a majority of his contributions coming from political action committees, over 80% of the contributions to Jim Renacci’s campaign came from individual donors.
October 16, 2010 at 2:19 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

October 7, 2010

Renacci and Boccieri to Debate October 18th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com RENACCI AND BOCCIERI TO DEBATE OCTOBER 18^th *Canton Repository & WHBC to Host Renacci-Boccieri Debate at GlenOak High School* Canton, OH—On October 18^th, Jim Renacci and John Boccieri will face off in a 75-minute congressional debate at GlenOak High School in Plain Township. The head-to-head debate will begin at 7PM and conclude at 8:15PM. “I am looking forward to a spirited and substantive debate with Mr. Boccieri on the issues that matter most to the 16^th district. With so many challenges facing our community and our country, such as the double-digit unemployment rate in our district and the exploding deficit spending in Washington, it’s important for voters to hear where my opponent and I stand on the issues—beyond the sound bites and 30-second TV ads. I am confident that this debate will afford voters a much-needed opportunity to learn more about the stark differences that exist between my commitment to limited government and fiscal responsibility, and my opponent’s allegiance to the crippling economic policies that have defined that past two years,” Jim Renacci said. The Renacci and Boccieri campaigns reached an agreement Wednesday on the terms of the Stark County debate after a lengthy discussion over its format. Initially, the Boccieri campaign insisted that one of the two non-major party candidates be included in the debate, but demanded that the liberal-leaning candidate, Robert Ross, be excluded. The Renacci campaign opposed excluding Robert Ross and asserted that unless all four candidates were included, Mr. Boccieri should agree to a one-on-one debate with Jim Renacci. Ultimately, an agreement to a Renacci-Boccieri debate was reached. The debate will be hosted by The Canton Repository and WHBC. The event is free and open to the public, although tickets will be required for entry. Tickets are available through the Renacci and Boccieri campaigns, as well as through The Repository and WHBC.
October 7, 2010 at 3:22 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

October 5, 2010

Boccieri Balks At Debate Challenge, Refuses to Face Renacci
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI BALKS AT DEBATE CHALLENGE, REFUSES TO FACE RENACCI Canton, OH—Over the past several months, Jim Renacci has called upon John Boccieri time and again to stop hiding behind a campaign of lies and distractions and to join him in a head-to-head debate, “anytime, anywhere”, on the issues that actually matter to the voters of the 16^th district. During that time, John Boccieri and his allies have spent nearly $2 million running false, personal attack ads targeted solely against Jim Renacci and his family, yet Mr. Boccieri continues to duck demands that he participate in a Renacci-Boccieri debate. This week, the Ohio Christian Alliance (OCA), which hosted a congressional debate during the May primary, confirmed that although Jim Renacci has agreed to participate in the OCA’s general election debate in Stark County, John Boccieri has declined. After the Boccieri campaign cited “scheduling conflicts” with the initially proposed dates for the debate (October 14^th or the 21^st), Jim Renacci offered to schedule the debate for any other date that would accommodate Mr. Boccieri—yet John Boccieri still declined to participate. Mr. Boccieri’s decision to duck the OCA debate, while disappointing, came as little surprise considering his inexplicable refusal to face Jim Renacci in any head-to-head debate so far during the campaign. The prospects for the other Stark County Renacci-Boccieri debate, proposed by the Canton Repository and WHBC-AM for October 18^th, appear to be fading fast due to John Boccieri’s refusal, once again, to engage one-on-one with Jim Renacci at that debate. In addition to ducking debates, Boccieri failed to appear at town hall meetings with Jim Renacci in Ashland, Medina and Wayne counties earlier this summer, as well as at a candidate forum in Medina County last week. “After John Boccieri and his allies have spent millions over the past few months smearing Jim Renacci and his family with nothing but desperate and dishonest personal attacks, the people of the 16^th district have lower than ever expectations when it comes to the conduct of their current Congressman—but his refusal to debate Jim Renacci nevertheless serves as a shocking and sad indicator of Mr. Boccieri’s lack of character,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. “Considering that his tenure in Congress has been defined by double-digit unemployment, his support for the job-killing Cap & Trade bill and his flip-flop on ObamaCare, it’s not surprising that John Boccieri isn’t proud of his record—no one is proud of that record. That said, after dedicating his entire campaign to defaming Jim Renacci and his family while refusing to discuss the serious issues facing our district, John Boccieri owes it to his constituents to put his mouth where his money is by debating Jim Renacci one-on-one,” Slepian added.
October 5, 2010 at 4:54 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

September 21, 2010

Renacci Campaign Launces New Television Ad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com RENACCI CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD Canton, OH—Today, the Jim Renacci for Congress campaign launched its second television ad of the fall campaign. The ad highlights Jim Renacci’s record as a respected business leader who has created over 1,500 jobs in the region while also shining a spotlight on the facts behind John Boccieri’s desperate and dishonest campaign. While Jim Renacci has focused his campaign around his commitment to the issues that matter most to the 16^th district and on repairing our broken economy, John Boccieri and his allies have already spent over a million dollars launching false personal attacks against Jim Renacci and his family in a desperate attempt to distract voters from John Boccieri’s abysmal voting record in Congress. As the ad points out, John Boccieri has marched in lock step with the failed Obama-Pelosi agenda in Washington, betraying his own constituents with votes ranging from his support of Pelosi’s cap and trade national energy tax to the Obama-Pelosi health care bill that will increase the cost of premiums while gutting $500 billion from Medicare. “With an unemployment rate that’s doubled on his watch and inexcusable votes for the job-killing cap and trade energy tax and the Obama-Pelosi health care bill, John Boccieri knows that the truth behind his own record won’t get him re-elected—so instead he’s pathetically campaigning on lies about Jim Renacci and his family. After selling out his constituents by flip flopping on cap and trade and ObamaCare, it seems the only consistency in John Boccieri’s record is his unwavering loyalty to Nancy Pelosi and a willingness to lie to the people he’s supposed to be representing in Congress,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. ###
September 21, 2010 at 4:58 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

September 15, 2010

F.B.I. Arrests Another Boccieri Back and Financier
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com F.B.I. ARRESTS ANOTHER BOCCIERI BACKER AND FINANCIER *Jimmy Dimora becomes the sixth Boccieri booster indicted in last 6 weeks* Canton, OH—Earlier today, F.B.I. agents arrested John Boccieri associate and financial backer, Jimmy Dimora, after federal prosecutors secured a 31-count indictment on corruption charges. The indictment and arrest followed a lengthy federal investigation into Dimora, centered in part around allegations that he took bribes in the form of prostitution, in exchange for securing multi-million dollar construction contracts while serving as a Cuyahoga County Commissioner. Dimora now joins a lengthy list of recently indicted donors who have financed John Boccieri’s political career, including Cuyahoga County Auditor, Frank Russo, who was indicted last week on 21 counts of corruption. Rounding out the list of corrupt Boccieri boosters are Anthony Cafaro Sr., John Reardon, John McNally and Michael Sciortino—all of whom face corruption charges ranging from bribery to perjury to fraud. Although Boccieri has accepted tens of thousands of dollars from Dimora, Russo, Cafaro, Reardon, McNally and Sciortino, his network of corruption extends far beyond Ohio. Boccieri has also taken $68,829 from disgraced New York Congressman Charlie Rangel, who is currently facing 13 counts of ethics violations in the U.S. House of Representatives. To date, Boccieri has refused to part with a vast majority of the tainted contributions he’s accepted. “While John Boccieri tries to con his way back to Washington on a campaign fueled by desperation and lies, it’s only fitting that these are the individuals who have been footing the bill for his crumbling and dishonest political career. John Boccieri’s done more than enough damage to this district and his own reputation with his voting record alone—he owes it to his constituents to cut his ties to this culture of corruption and to give back all of the nearly $100,000 he has taken in tainted contributions,” Jim Renacci spokesman James Slepian said.
September 15, 2010 at 4:51 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

September 8, 2010

Boccieri Takes a Front Row Seat for Obama Speech, 16th District Gets a Front Row Seat to his Failure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI TAKES A FRONT ROW SEAT FOR OBAMA’S SPEECH, WHILE THE 16^thDISTRICT GETS A FRONT ROW SEAT TO HIS FAILURE Canton, OH—Today, John Boccieri joined Barack Obama in northeast Ohio as the President laid out his new plan to repair America’s broken economy. Unfortunately for our economy, the “new” plan looks a lot like Obama’s old plan—more debt, higher taxes and fewer jobs for the American people. Despite the fact that Obama’s first “stimulus” plan, which was wholeheartedly backed by John Boccieri, failed to stimulate anything other than the deficit, John Boccieri and Barack Obama remain undeterred in their efforts to corrupt America’s future with more of their same failed policies from the past. “Considering all of the commitments that John Boccieri has made and then broken to his constituents, it’s truly unfortunate that the one commitment he seems unwilling to break is his commitment to the Obama-Pelosi economic death march that is crippling our state and our country. In the past 19 months alone, John Boccieri, Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi have added a record $3 trillion to the national debt, while the unemployment rate in our district has skyrocketed. Our nation cannot tax and spend its way to prosperity—American families understand that, American businesses understand that and it’s time we send people to Washington who understand that too,” Jim Renacci said today. While the President paid lip service to much needed tax relief today by mentioning specific tax cuts that he now supports, he simultaneously called for the expiration of the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts, which would amount to one of the largest tax increases in American history. The President’s tax hike plan, which John Boccieri supports, would not only raise income taxes, but would also increase capital gains taxes by 33% and would implement a 55% death tax in 2011. This wave on tax increases would stand in addition to the $1.4 trillion in tax hikes that John Boccieri has voted for in the past 12 months alone. “While John Boccieri gets rewarded with a front row seat to the President’s speech, his constituents are left with a front row seat to the unmitigated economic disaster that has defined his brief, but destructive time in Congress,” Renacci added.
September 8, 2010 at 4:59 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

September 3, 2010

As Boccieri Plays Hide and Seek From the 16th, Renacci Continues Town Hall Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2010

CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN

James@Renacciforcongress.com

AS BOCCIERI PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK FROM THE 16^th, RENACCI CONTINUES TOWN HALL TOUR

Canton, OH—After failing to show up at the previously scheduled town hall meetings in Wayne and Ashland Counties last month, John Boccieri has yet another opportunity to join with Jim Renacci at a town hall meeting this coming Tuesday, September 7^that 7PM at the North Canton Civic Center. Although John Boccieri has so far refused to attend any town hall meetings or one-on-one debates with Jim Renacci, hope remains that Mr. Boccieri will finally own up to his record in Congress and answer to his constituents in person for the job-killing votes he’s been casting in Washington. While Mr. Boccieri was formally invited to the North Canton town hall meeting several weeks ago, it unfortunately comes as no surprise that he has not yet committed to the event. Jim Renacci has also confirmed that he will appear at a Medina County town hall scheduled for Monday, September 13^th.

“As our unemployment rate continues to climb and the residents of our district continue to suffer under John Boccieri and Nancy Pelosi’s reckless fiscal policies, it is deeply troubling to see that our current Congressman is so ashamed of his record that he refuses to face his own constituents in an open forum and listen to their mounting questions and concerns about his policies. I greatly look forward to meeting with voters at the Stark County town hall on Tuesday to discuss a wide range of issues, and I hope that John Boccieri can summon the political courage to join me,” Jim Renacci said today.

In addition to the upcoming town hall forums, on Wednesday, Jim Renacci announced that he will participate in a debate in Wayne County on September 20^th. Although earlier in the week the Boccieri campaign inexplicably attempted to mislead both the public and the press by announcing that a Stark County debate hosted by the Canton Jaycees had been set for October 12^th, no such agreement had ever been reached—in part due to organizational failures, including lingering issues related to sponsorship of the debate.

On Thursday, the Canton Jaycees formally notified the campaigns that negotiations with the two major media outlets who had been proposed as the debate’s sponsors had failed and have since been terminated. Although it is now official that Jim Renacci and John Boccieri will not face off on October 12^th, Jim Renacci remains hopeful that John Boccieri will join him at the upcoming town hall meetings in Stark and Medina Counties, as well as at any of the other potential debates that are currently being considered.

September 3, 2010 at 11:51 AM in Press Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 24, 2010

Jim Renacci Launches First General Election Television Ad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com JIM RENACCI LAUNCHES FIRST GENERAL ELECTION TELEVISON AD Canton, OH—Today, the Jim Renacci for Congress campaign began airing its first television ad for the fall campaign, highlighting Jim Renacci’s record as a job creator and calling for an end to the reckless deficit spending and job-killing policies that are destroying Ohio’s economy. A 27-year resident of northeast Ohio, Jim Renacci built a business from the ground up, creating over 1,500 new jobs and employing over 2,500 Ohioans. As Mayor of Wadsworth, Jim brought his business background to local government and successfully balanced his city’s $80 million budget and converted its deficit into a surplus, without raising taxes. “While John Boccieri remains in hiding, refusing to discuss the issues that matter to voters—like our double digit unemployment rate or his votes for the cap and trade energy tax, ObamaCare and the Obama-Pelosi stimulus plan, I am proud to campaign on my low-tax, low-spending, pro-growth principles that our state and our country so desperately need,” Jim Renacci said today. Since John Boccieri was elected to Congress, the unemployment rate in the 16^th district has doubled while he cast votes in Washington for trillions of dollars in new taxes and deficit spending. Voting with Nancy Pelosi 94% of the time, John Boccieri has supported every major component of the Obama-Pelosi agenda, including cap & trade, ObamaCare and the economic “stimulus” plan. ###
August 24, 2010 at 12:02 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

August 19, 2010

Jim Renacci Blasts Boccieri and Union Bosses for False Ads, Files Defamation Lawsuit Against AFSCME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com 330 618 2412 JIM RENACCI BLASTS BOCCIERI AND UNION BOSSES FOR FALSE ADS, FILES DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST AFSCME Canton, OH—Today, Jim Renacci filed a defamation lawsuit against the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union, in response to the patently false and purely fictional allegations contained in the advertising campaign that AFSCME has initiated on behalf of Congressman John Boccieri. After AFSCME’s gross distortion of Jim Renacci’s views on tax policy were debunked last week, union bosses have now launched a second round of attacks, falsely accusing Jim Renacci and his wife of criminal conduct. As was reported last week by Politico, union bosses at AFSCME are running the ad campaign on behalf of John Boccieri as a “thank-you to the Democrat for supporting top party agenda items” including Cap & Trade, ObamaCare and the Obama-Pelosi stimulus plan. “In a desperate attempt to hide from his record of support for every component of Nancy Pelosi’s agenda in Washington—including Cap and Trade and rampant fiscal recklessness that has crippled our economy and wiped out our jobs, John Boccieri and his allies are engaged in a scorched earth assault on me, my family and the truth. I may have grown up poor and powerless but I’ve been a fighter all my life, and if John Boccieri and his Washington special interest friends think I will sit idly by as they defame me and my family to distract from the damage Mr. Boccieri’s done to our community, they have misjudged me as badly as they have mismanaged our country,” Jim Renacci said today. After running their initial false ad against Jim Renacci to distract voters from the $1.4 trillion in tax increases that John Boccieri has supported in the last 12 months alone, AFSCME followed up with an even more egregious perversion of reality by alleging that Jim Renacci and his wife “cheated” on their taxes and “avoided jail time” by paying back taxes to the state. As was previously reported here, Jim Renacci and his wife never hid income on their joint tax return and have never been subject to any kind of criminal charge or criminal investigation of any kind. Rather, when the Ohio Tax Commissioner attempted to unilaterally and retroactively impose state income taxes on small business trust accounts, which had only been subject to federal income taxes, Jim joined with over 1,000 other Ohioans as petitioners who appealed the Commissioner’s retroactive tax assessment. The matter resulted in two split decisions by the Ohio Supreme Court, which ultimately clarified the law and any tax liability that was owed. “John Boccieri and his Washington allies have accused me of everything short of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and at this rate I’m sure that’s probably next. It’s sad that our Congressman is so frightened to face the voters and answer for his own record in Washington, that he’s taken to hiding behind his friends as they spread his lies about my record and my family. Our district, our state and our country deserve much better than that,” Jim Renacci added. ### A copy of the complaint filed today can be found here.
August 19, 2010 at 4:26 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (3)

August 17, 2010

Cook Political Report Boosts Odds of a Renacci Victory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com COOK POLITICAL REPORT BOOSTS ODDS OF A RENACCI VICTORY *Top Analyst Shifts Race Rating from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss Up”* Canton, OH—Today, the Cook Political Report, one of the nation’s most well respected independent political analysts, announced that it was shifting its rating on the congressional race in Ohio’s 16^th district from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss Up”. Cook’s rating shift in the direction of a Republican pick-up in the 16^th district is the latest in a string of indicators that John Boccieri’s prospects for re-election are collapsing. Jim Renacci now joins Steve Stivers and Steve Chabot as the three Ohio Republican challengers running in “Toss Up” rated races, according to the Cook Political Report. “If John Boccieri thinks he can win re-election by continuing to hide from voters and deflecting attention from the crushing job losses, higher taxes and exploding deficits that have defined his career, it seems the only person he’s fooling is himself. Jim Renacci’s record as a proven job creator and his commitment to lower taxes, a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility is clearly resonating with the voters in this district who have grown tired of John Boccieri’s unwavering loyalty to Nancy Pelosi’s bankrupt agenda,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. The Cook Political Report is not the only independent analyst who has shifted this race in the direction of a Renacci victory. Earlier this year, Real Clear Politics shifted the race from “Toss Up” to “Lean Republican”.
August 17, 2010 at 8:43 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

August 16, 2010

Jim Renacci Statement on the Construction of a Mosque at Ground Zero
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com JIM RENACCI STATEMENT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO Canton, OH—Today, Jim Renacci released the following statement in response to Barack Obama’s comments on Friday in support of the construction of a mosque at ground zero. By interjecting himself into the debate, the President has now made this a national issue and Jim Renacci felt compelled to respond to the President’s irresponsible position and disrespectful words. "The religious freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution are among the greatest and most fundamental rights that we share as Americans. However, this debate is not about the rights that we have, but rather how we choose to exercise them. Just because we may have the right to do something, doesn't necessarily make it right to do it. This is about tolerance, respect and sensitivity towards the 9/11 victims and those who lost friends and loved ones in those horrific attacks. I was deeply disturbed to see that President Obama is again turning a deaf ear to the thoughts and concerns of a majority of Americans by supporting the construction of a mosque at ground zero. I hope that John Boccieri will join me in opposing the construction of this mosque and in condemning the President for his lack of sensitivity and respect for the memory of the thousands of Americans we lost that day.”
August 16, 2010 at 1:21 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

August 10, 2010

Ready, Fire, Aim: Union Bosses Misfire with Bogus Tax Hike Claim
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com READY, FIRE, AIM: UNION BOSSES MISFIRE WITH BOGUS TAX HIKE CLAIM After Lining Serial Tax-Raiser John Boccieri’s Pockets, AFSCME Launches False Attack on Committed Tax Cutter Jim Renacci Canton, OH—Yesterday, union bosses at AFSCME, who have already donated $20,000 to John Boccieri’s congressional campaign committee, launched a grossly inaccurate ad campaign designed to smear Jim Renacci and distract voters from John Boccieri’s dismal record on taxes, spending and the economy. Although the ad falsely asserts that Jim Renacci supports adding a “23% national sales tax” to the tax code, the fact is that Jim Renacci has never raised taxes and has not only called for further tax cuts but has also pledged to oppose any net tax increase on the American people. In the past year alone, while the unemployment rate has doubled on his watch, John Boccieri has voted for over $1.4 trillion in higher taxes and has promised to support additional hikes in the future. “Evidently, the first casualty in John Boccieri’s failing re-election campaign is the truth. Boccieri and his allies are desperately lying about Jim Renacci’s record on taxes because Jim is telling the truth about the double-digit unemployment, crippling deficit spending and trillions in higher taxes that have defined John Boccieri’s record in Washington,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. In the ad, AFSCME cites Jim Renacci’s comments on the “Fair Tax” concept, a proposed consumption tax that would replace the federal income tax, as their basis for the claim. Although Jim Renacci, a C.P.A., has said that a consumption tax in lieu of an income tax could potentially simplify and reduce fraud in our tax code, he has also consistently voiced serious concerns over the implementation process of a consumption tax and said that he would only consider supporting it if those issues were resolved and it stood as a replacement rather than a supplement to the income tax. Jim Renacci has a clear record of opposing any net tax increase on the American people. “Even though the unemployment rate has doubled since he was elected, John Boccieri has kept his hand fixed in taxpayers’ pockets, voting for more than $1.4 trillion in higher taxes in the past 12 months alone—including an $850 billion Cap & Trade tax and $500 billion in new ObamaCare taxes. In stark contrast, Jim Renacci, who has created over 1,500 jobs and balanced Wadsworth’s $80 million budget, has never raised taxes and has pledged his commitment to oppose any tax increases when he goes to Washington. If the union bosses at AFSCME are so concerned about tax increases, they should focus their ire on John Boccieri whose tax and spend policies are eviscerating jobs and crushing middle-class families,” Slepian added.
August 10, 2010 at 2:52 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (3)

August 6, 2010

Labor Department Reports 131,000 Jobs Lost In July
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTS 131,000 JOBS LOST IN JULY *For the Second Straight Month, U.S. Slashes Jobs—Boccieri Calls it “Progress”* Canton, OH—Following crushing job loss numbers in June, the Labor Department announced a second straight month of losses today, reporting that the U.S. economy shed 131,000 jobs in July. Although many analysts were predicting an anemic report from the Labor Department, the loss of 131,000 jobs in July was far worse than most had anticipated—painting an even bleaker picture of the prospect for recovery under the Obama-Pelosi agenda. “As John Boccieri continues to insist that our economy is making ‘progress’ and is ‘on the right track’, hundreds of thousands of Americans are losing their jobs each month, joining millions more who have been laid off since he was sent to Washington. How many more Americans will have to lose theirs before John Boccieri recognizes that impoverishing his constituents while bankrupting our country is not a formula for economic recovery? Unfortunately, John Boccieri has made it clear that he’s more interested in serving as a cheerleader for Nancy Pelosi rather than a leader for the 16^th district, and we are all suffering for it,” Jim Renacci said today. While the 9.5% unemployment rate remained unchanged since June, economists say the number reflects a drop in the overall labor force as discouraged workers gave up searching for work or expired unemployment benefits, as opposed to any positive indicators about stabilization or growth in the job market. “I know what job creation looks like—I’ve created 1,500 of them, but right now we have a Congressman who apparently can’t tell the difference between job growth and job losses, and that is deeply troubling. As more jobs disappear and more debt piles up, it’s become more clear than ever that we literally cannot afford to send John Boccieri back to Washington,” Renacci added.
August 6, 2010 at 1:02 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

August 5, 2010

Newt Gingrich Endorses Jim Renacci For Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com NEWT GINGRICH ENDORSES JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS Canton, OH—Today, former Speaker of the House and General Chairman of American Solutions, Newt Gingrich, endorsed Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16th district. Renacci, who has been named one of the top Republican candidates in the nation by the National Republican Congressional Committee, is challenging freshman Democrat John Boccieri in a race that is widely viewed as one of the best pick-up opportunities for Republicans in the upcoming November election. “With three decades of experience as a small business owner who has created over 1,500 jobs in the region, Jim Renacci understands how government policies can both help and hinder job growth and knows what it will take to re-start our nation’s economic engine. As a Mayor, Jim brought a common sense, business-based approach to government and successfully balanced his city’s budget and converted its deficit into a surplus, without raising taxes. At a time when Democrats in Washington are driving our economy off of a cliff and sinking us into a deadly sea of debt, Jim Renacci is precisely the type of leader we need in Congress to restore accountability, responsibility and the pro-growth policies our country so desperately needs. I am proud to endorse Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16th district,” Newt Gingrich said today. “Newt Gingrich has a striking record of accomplishment and stands as one our nation’s most dynamic and well respected leaders in political thought—I could not be more honored to have earned his endorsement. As I continue this fight to restore common sense and accountability to Washington, I remain humbled and energized by the constantly growing support for our campaign,” Jim Renacci said today.
August 5, 2010 at 3:01 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

August 4, 2010

Boccieri's House of Cons Begins to Fall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@RenacciForCongress.com BOCCIERI’S HOUSE OF CONS BEGINS TO FALL *While Boccieri Clings to Their Cash, Another Donor Indicted and Two More Under Federal Investigation* Canton, OH—For the third day in a row, new information has surfaced about John Boccieri’s deep ties to a corrupt network of individuals who have played a major role in financing his political career. Following last week’s news that John Boccieri is refusing to return the nearly $70,000 he has taken from New York Democrat Charlie Rangel, who is facing 13 counts of ethics violations, Boccieri’s financial ties to three other individuals who were recently indicted on corruption charges were unearthed on Monday and Tuesday. Today, Michael Sciortino, Jimmy Dimora and Frank Russo join Anthony Cafaro Sr., John Reardon and John McNally as the newest names on a rapidly growing list of John Boccieri’s corrupt contributors. Like Reardon, Cafaro and McNally, Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino was recently indicted on corruption charges, which include bribery, perjury and filing false financial disclosures with the state. Meanwhile, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and County Auditor Frank Russo have been targeted in a separate federal investigation centered around allegations that the two took bribes in the form of prostitution in exchange for securing a multi-million dollar construction contract. In total, Sciortino, Dimora and Russo have given John Boccieri $1,940, none of which has been returned. As was previously reported, Boccieri has also taken and held on to $69,829 from Charlie Rangel, $12,600 from Cafaro and $2,500 from McNally and Reardon. Despite countless calls for Boccieri to follow the lead of many of his Democratic colleagues and clean out his financial coffers, he has thus far refused to part with the tainted cash. “While it’s clear that Nancy Pelosi broke her promise to ‘drain the swamp’, her protégé` John Boccieri is doing his part to rapidly fill it up. Actions speak much louder than words, and as new light is shed each day on the depth of John Boccieri’s ties to corruption, his defiance in refusing to part with these tainted donations speaks volumes about his character and his comfort with a culture of corruption,” Jim Renacci spokesman James Slepian said.
August 4, 2010 at 3:25 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

August 3, 2010

More Indictments for Boccieri Boosters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 3, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com MORE INDICTMENTS FOR BOCCIERI BOOSTERS *While Still Refusing to Return Rangel’s Money, Two More Boccieri Donors Indicted for Corruption* Canton, OH—Following yesterday’s news that John Boccieri’s network of corrupt donors expanded beyond Charlie Rangel to include Anthony Cafaro Sr., who was indicted last Thursday on corruption charges, FEC reports show that Boccieri also took thousands of dollars from John Reardon and John McNally—both of whom were also indicted last week. Reardon, the former Mahoning County Treasurer, was indicted on a slew of corruption charges including perjury, conspiracy and filing false financial disclosures with the state Ethics Commission. Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally was also indicted on a string of corruption charges including bribery, perjury and conspiracy. Throughout his career, Boccieri has accepted nearly $2,500 from McNally and Reardon, $1,750 of which was donated to Boccieri’s congressional campaign committee. News of Reardon and McNally’s financial ties to Boccieri comes on the heels of numerous media reports detailing Boccieri’s refusal to part with the $69,829 he took from embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y), who was charged with 13 ethics violations by a House panel last week. The discovery of a growing pool of corrupt contributors and criminals with ties to Boccieri’s political operation—combined with his failure to return any of their donations, is raising new questions each day about Boccieri’s own ethics. While dozens of Boccieri’s Democratic colleagues in the House have already returned Rangel’s donations and called on him to resign, so far Boccieri has refused to do either. “While John Boccieri takes a sledge hammer to our economy and our district suffers through double digit unemployment, he has been lining his own pockets with nearly $100,000 in corrupt cash. In the past 7 days alone, John Boccieri has been tied to four deeply corrupt financial supporters—three of whom are under indictment, yet he continues to ignore calls to return their money and condemn their conduct. At this point the people of the 16^th district realize that John Boccieri won’t ever cut his strings from Nancy Pelosi, but they do expect and deserve him to cut his ties to the criminals that are financing his campaign,” Jim Renacci said today.
August 3, 2010 at 2:26 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

August 2, 2010

Boccieri's Base of Corruption Broadens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI’S BASE OF CORRUPTION BROADENS *While Refusing to Return Rangel’s Money, Another Boccieri Financial Backer Indicted* Canton, OH—On the very same day last week that a House Ethics panel unveiled the details of the 13 charges facing New York Democrat and John Boccieri financier Charlie Rangel, another of Boccieri’s long-time financial supporters, Anthony Cafaro Sr., was indicted on corruption charges in Ohio. As was widely reported last week, while Democrats across the country have been quick to return Rangel’s donations and have called for him to resign, Boccieri is facing a growing chorus of questions over his refusal to refund the nearly $70,000 he has taken from Rangel. The discovery that another of Boccieri’s financial supporters has been indicted on corruption charges is raising new questions about the depth of Boccieri’s ties to a corrupt network of individuals and his level of comfort with both their conduct and their money. Throughout his career, Boccieri has taken $12,600 from Cafaro, $7,600 of which he received for his congressional campaigns. Boccieri also accepted $69,829 from Charlie Rangel, all of which he received prior to voting against stripping Rangel of his Ways and Means Committee Chairmanship in the fall of 2009. To date, Boccieri has refused to return any of the money he’s taken from Rangel or Cafaro, and has yet to issue a public statement of any kind condemning their actions. “While John Boccieri’s record in Congress has been defined by a crumbling economy and record high deficits, his career as a politician has apparently been heavily financed by a corrupt Congressman and criminals. By clinging to their money while his colleagues return it, Mr. Boccieri has signaled his tacit approval for Rangel and Cafaro’s conduct and continues to embarrass a district that has already suffered enough under his failed leadership. Rather than continuing to dodge the issue and change the subject by desperately slinging mud at Jim Renacci’s record as a proven job creator and a small business owner, John Boccieri owes it to his constituents to address the mounting questions about his refusal to return the corrupt contributions that have fueled his faltering political career,” Jim Renacci spokesman James Slepian said.
August 2, 2010 at 1:57 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

July 28, 2010

Boccieri Caught in Double Talk on Dirty Campaign Dollars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI CAUGHT IN DOUBLE TALK ON DIRTY CAMPAIGN DOLLARS Canton, OH—In the wake of revelations last week that a House investigatory panel has charged Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y) with ethics violations, many House Democrats continue to distance themselves from the corrupt Congressman and purge their campaign coffers of his tainted donations. The decision by Democrats to dump or donate Rangel’s money began months ago as a string of corruption allegations, ranging from improper use of taxpayer dollars to filing fraudulent financial disclosures, began to surface. While dozens of House Democrats have returned or donated Rangel’s contributions, including Ohio members Zack Space and Mary Jo Kilroy, Rep. John Boccieri has remained defiant, refusing to part with the $53,200 he has taken from Rangel. Boccieri’s refusal to rid his campaign coffers of Rangel’s contributions directly contradicts the position he took in the state legislature when he verbally chastised Ohio Republicans over campaign contributions they received from political fundraiser Tom Noe, who at the time was facing a federal investigation into violations of FEC law. Despite the fact that Republicans in the Ohio Statehouse had already committed Noe’s tainted donations to charity, Boccieri insisted that ridding their campaign accounts of Noe’s money didn’t go far enough and he demanded that Republicans be stripped of committee chairmanships and recuse themselves from legislative matters for having accepted the contributions in the first place. As the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on June 2, 2005, “Rep. John Boccieri, a Mahoning County Democrat, asked that Rep. Stephen Buehrer step down as Chairman of the State Government Committee because of $8,000 in contributions (from Noe).” After accepting tens of thousands of dollars from Rangel in 2007 and 2008, Boccieri neither stepped down from committee assignments nor recused himself from a vote to strip Rangel of his Chairmanship of the Ways & Means committee in 2009 (H.R. 805). In fact, Boccieri not only participated in the vote on H.R. 805, but voted against stripping Rangel of his Chairmanship. “By desperately clinging to Charlie Rangel’s dirty campaign cash, John Boccieri has already demonstrated a clear lack of ethical integrity—but now it appears he is also guilty of blatant hypocrisy. Although John Boccieri has a long record of breaking his promises to the voters of the 16^th district, he may salvage whatever remains of his shattered reputation by sparing his constituents any further embarrassment over their Congressman’s involvement in Charlie Rangel’s corrupt campaign contributions,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said.
July 28, 2010 at 3:06 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

July 26, 2010

Despite Ethics Violations, Boccieri Refuses to Part With Rangel Cash
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com DESPITE ETHICS VIOLATIONS, BOCCIERI REFUSES TO PART WITH RANGEL CASH *While House Democrats Ditch the Dirty Dollars, Boccieri Bucks Calls to Refund Rangel’s Money* Canton, OH—Despite last week’s announcement from the House Ethics Committee that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y) has committed ethics violations, John Boccieri continues to refuse to refund or donate the nearly $60,000 in tainted campaign contributions he has accepted from Rangel. The embattled Congressman from New York has been the subject of a lengthy ethics investigation stemming from allegations that he engaged in improper use of taxpayer funds and filed fraudulent financial disclosures, among other charges. At least 27 Democratic House members have returned or donated Rangel’s dirty money in recent months, including Ohio Democrats Mary Jo Kilroy and Zack Space, who each returned $21,000 in the corrupt cash earlier this year. However, to date John Boccieri has refused to return any of the $53,200 he has taken from Rangel. “While John Boccieri hasn’t spent much time listeninng to the people of the 16^th district, he’s apparently had plenty of time to hang out with Charlie Rangel and to line his campaign coffers with tainted money to fund the dirty campaign he’s made clear that he intends to run. Considering his abysmal record in Congress, which has been defined by double-digit unemployment, reckless deficit spending and unwavering loyalty to Nancy Pelosi, the least John Boccieri can do for his constituents is to run a clean campaign funded by clean contributions. It is past time for Mr. Boccieri to follow in the footsteps of his Democratic colleagues and return every cent of Charlie Rangel’s campaign contributions,” Jim Renacci said today. Between June of 2007 and February of 2008, Boccieri received a total of $9,000 from Rangel’s National Leadership PAC and Rangel’s campaign committee. In August of 2008, Boccieri accepted another $44,200 from the Rangel Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee that Boccieri shared with Rangel. In addition to accepting Rangel’s tainted money, last fall Boccieri voted against a measure (H.R. 805) to immediately strip Rangel of his Chairmanship of the House Ways & Means Committee.
July 26, 2010 at 2:41 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (1)

July 12, 2010

Renacci Campaign Hauls in $725,000 in Second Quarter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com RENACCI CAMPAIGN HAULS IN $725,000 IN SECOND QUARTER *Campaign Surpasses Previous Quarterly Record by Nearly $500,000* Canton, OH—Today, the Renacci for Congress campaign announced that it brought in just over $725,000 in the second quarter of 2010. Following several quarters of very strong fund raising, the second quarter numbers far exceeded the campaign’s previous quarterly record by nearly half a million dollars. “I remain sincerely humbled by the consistently strong and rapidly growing support for our campaign. By generously lending their time and their resources to this effort, voters are sending a powerful message to John Boccieri and Nancy Pelosi that the American people have had enough of their misguided policies and their failed agenda—and are willing to do whatever it takes to restore competence and accountability to our government this November. I have no illusions about the fact that John Boccieri’s special interests friends in Washington will ensure that his campaign is well-funded, but I am confident that with the continued support of voters here in Ohio our campaign will prevail on Election Day and together we will restore the 16th district’s voice in Congress,” Jim Renacci said today. In total, 95% of the second quarter contributions to the Renacci campaign came from individuals and 80% of the dollars raised came from donors who live or work in and around Northeast Ohio. “As I have long maintained, elections are won with votes and not dollars, but the outpouring of financial support we have received has left us well positioned to compete with John Boccieri and his D.C.-based financiers—and is indicative of the powerful momentum behind our campaign,” Renacci added. ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
July 12, 2010 at 1:14 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

July 2, 2010

Economy Loses 125,000 Jobs in June, Boccieri Applauds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com ECONOMY LOSES 125,000 JOBS IN JUNE, BOCCIERI APPLAUDS *Despite the Worst Jobs Numbers of 2010, Boccieri Insists “we’re on the right track”* Canton, OH—Today, the Labor Department released the June jobs numbers and reported that the U.S. economy suffered a net loss of 125,000 jobs last month—the worst figures of 2010. Following a steep decline in private sector job growth in May, June marked the first month of 2010 that the Labor Department reported an actual net loss in American jobs, signaling that the U.S. may be sliding into a “double-dip” recession. In Ohio, the most recent jobs numbers also failed to instill any confidence in the prospect of an economic recovery, with unemployment at 10.7% statewide and approaching 12% in the 16^th district’s most populous county. Despite the increasingly dismal employment numbers both nationally and in Ohio, the 16^th district’s current Representative in Congress is apparently pleased with the direction our economy is headed. Last month, while 125,000 Americans were issued pink slips and joined the ranks of the 14.6 million Americans who are actively seeking work, John Boccieri took to the House floor to once again lavish praise on himself and the Obama-Pelosi economic plan. Seemingly blind and deaf to the crippling recession that is plaguing the nation, Boccieri inexplicably applauded the economic agenda that he and Nancy Pelosi have advanced during the past 18 months, boldly stating that “the policies we’ve enacted are helping to grow our economy” and that “we’re on the right track” towards economic recovery. “Perhaps if John Boccieri spent a little less time telling fairy tales on C-SPAN and a little more time paying attention to the millions of Americans who are suffering under he and Nancy Pelosi’s failed economic experiment, he might then at least appear to be somewhat in touch with the disastrous economic crisis that everyone other than John Boccieri has taken notice of. If Congressman Boccieri won’t even admit that our economy has a problem, how can we ever expect him to help find a solution?” Jim Renacci spokesman James Slepian said today.
July 2, 2010 at 3:05 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

June 22, 2010

BOCCIERI’S DEMOCRATS MAKE FAILURE TO GOVERN OFFICIAL, ANNOUNCE THEY WILL NOT PASS A BUDGET THIS YEAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com 330 618 2412 BOCCIERI’S DEMOCRATS MAKE FAILURE TO GOVERN OFFICIAL, ANNOUNCE THEY WILL NOT PASS A BUDGET THIS YEAR *For the First Time in the History of the Budget Act, the House Majority Fails to Pass a Budget* Canton, OH—In an unprecedented failure to carry out the most basic function of our government, John Boccieri’s House Democrats announced today that they will not pass a budget this year. Rather than addressing the ballooning deficit and dismal jobs numbers by passing a fiscally responsible budget, House Democrats have chosen to hide from their proven inability to rein in spending by not passing a budget at all. This marks the first time in this history of the Budget Act that the House Majority has failed to pass a budget—a failure that could not come at a worse time for a country that is suffering under the malaise of a deficit-laden, failed economic agenda. Just last week, Jim Renacci implored John Boccieri to heed the words of his own Party’s leaders by working to pass a budget—a responsibility that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has labeled as “the most basic responsibility of governing”. However, it appears as though John Boccieri and his fellow Democrats have instead opted to shirk that responsibility by not even attempting to rein in the massive amount of debt they are piling on top of the American people. “To label this failure as simple ‘incompetence’ may not do it justice, this is fiscal recklessness of a historical proportion. The fact that John Boccieri and Nancy Pelosi have driven our economy off of a cliff and into a sea of debt is bad enough—but the fact that they feel no obligation to help get us out of this mess truly shocks the conscience. While the American people have known for months of the Democrats’ inability to govern, what we learned today is that not only can’t they govern, but apparently they don’t even want to try. If any one of us took this approach to our jobs, we would be fired on the spot—and I think it’s pretty clear who the American people need to fire in November,” Jim Renacci said today.
June 22, 2010 at 1:10 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

June 18, 2010

Renacci to Boccieri: It's June 18th, Do You Know Where Your Budget Is?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@RenacciForCongress.com RENACCI TO BOCCIERI: IT’S JUNE 18^TH, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR BUDGET IS? Canton, OH—Despite a record high national debt, crippling unemployment and trillions in new deficit spending, House Democrats have yet to even pass a budget to begin dealing with the fiscal crisis that has exploded under their leadership. The House of Representatives, whether controlled by Democrats or Republicans, has passed a budget every year since the Budget Act became law in 1974—until now. As the minority Party in 2006, Democrats were quick to acknowledge the crucial importance of passing a budget, with then-Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer calling it “the most basic responsibility of governing”. However, as the Party in power in 2010, with freshman additions such as John Boccieri helping advance the Party’s agenda, Democrats have demonstrated unprecedented incompetence in carrying out even the most fundamental functions and obligations of our government. “While families and small businesses across the country are forced to tighten their belts and live within the confines of a responsible budget, Democrats in Washington continue to spend money that we don’t have, on programs we can’t afford. Suffering with double-digit unemployment and trillions in new debt, the American people are desperate for new leadership that will bring an end to the reckless spending and restore jobs to our communities. By failing to take the time to pass a budget, John Boccieri and his liberal allies in Congress are signaling that not only don’t they have a plan that will work, they don’t have a plan at all,” Jim Renacci said today.
June 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

Governor Tim Pawlenty Endorses Jim Renacci for Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@RenacciforCongress.com GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY ENDORSES JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS Canton, OH—Today, Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC endorsed Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District. In a statement released earlier, Governor Pawlenty said that Jim Renacci shares his agenda for cutting spending and a return to fiscal responsibility. “Jim has proven that he knows how to get the job done and is the sort of new, common-sense leader we need more of in Washington,” Pawlenty said. “In addition to creating over 1,500 new jobs in and around his district as a small business owner, he put those same business-based principles to work as a mayor, balancing his city’s budget without raising taxes. Jim shares my commitment to fiscal discipline and the pro-growth policies we need to restore America’s promise. I’m proud to support his campaign.” In addition to direct support from the PAC, candidates endorsed by the Freedom First PAC benefit from a donation feature that allows supporters to contribute directly to endorsed candidates through TimPawlenty.com.
June 18, 2010 at 11:43 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

June 17, 2010

BOCCIERI CONTINUES ASSAULT ON OHIO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI CONTINUES ASSAULT ON OHIO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES *Following Pelosi’s Orders, Boccieri Votes to Slap Working Families and Small Businesses with Fines for Failing to Buy Into ObamaCare* Canton, OH—Last night, John Boccieri once again sided with Nancy Pelosi rather than the people of the 16^th district by voting to preserve the ObamaCare individual health insurance mandate, forcing working families and small businesses to choose between purchasing potentially unaffordable insurance plans or paying a hefty fine to the federal government. As reported by the Congressional Budget Office earlier this year, insurance premiums for families are expected to rise by nearly $2,100 annually as a result of the health care overhaul that Boccieri and his liberal colleagues in Congress forced through in March—making the insurance mandate even more costly for families and small businesses who are already struggling under the failed Obama-Pelosi economic agenda. “As financially crippling and inexcusable as John Boccieri’s vote last night was, his decision to once again place the wishes of his Party’s leadership over the interests of the 16^th district comes as no surprise to anyone—considering that his voting record has been practically indistinguishable from Nancy Pelosi’s, voting with her 94% of the time. As our district continues to sink further and further into economic malaise and our residents remain desperate for new jobs and the resources to make ends meet, John Boccieri continues to turn a deaf ear to the concerns of his constituents as he buries us under higher taxes and more debt. John Boccieri isn’t from this district, doesn’t speak for this district and has proven once again that in Washington, he doesn’t vote for this district. I believe that the people of our district deserve far better than that, and that’s why I’m running to remove John Boccieri in November,” Jim Renacci said today. Boccieri’s vote to saddle millions of middle class families and small businesses with even further economic hardship is just the most recent in a series of votes where John Boccieri sided with Party leaders and special interests over the needs of working families. In addition to voting for $500 billion in tax increases earlier this year, Boccieri also voted for a Cap & Trade bill that would slash tens of thousands of jobs in the region and co-sponsored a bill to eliminate workers’ rights to a secret ballot in union elections. While Jim Renacci has spent the past three decades creating jobs and new opportunities for thousands of Ohioans, John Boccieri has opted to sell-out the interests of working men and women in return for special interest campaign cash and another pat on the back from Nancy Pelosi.
June 17, 2010 at 9:38 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

June 4, 2010

BOCCIERI WHISTLES PAST THE GRAVEYARD DESPITE MORE DEVASTATING JOBS NUMBERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI WHISTLES PAST THE GRAVEYARD DESPITE MORE DEVASTATING JOBS NUMBERS *May Jobs Report Shows Worst Private Sector Jobs Numbers Since January, Highest Long-term Unemployment Rate of 2010* Canton, OH—Today, the U.S. Department of Labor released the May jobs report, which showed the worst private sector job growth figures since January and the highest long-term unemployment numbers of 2010. The private sector saw an 82% decline in job growth from April, adding just 41,000 jobs in May—down from 218,000 in April. In addition, the seasonally adjusted long-term unemployment rate hit 46% of the total jobless claims in May, the highest long-term rate this year. The only sector to substantially expand its payroll was the federal government, which hired 411,000 temporary census workers in May. The deeply troubling report from the Labor Department serves as another disturbing indicator of the complete failure of the Obama-Pelosi economic agenda to stimulate anything other than a taxpayer funded expansion of the federal government. As poor as the economic picture is on a national scale, the employment landscape in Ohio and the 16^th congressional district is even worse. The most recent unemployment numbers for the state stood at 10.9%, with the jobless rate in the 16^th district’s most populous county exceeding 12%. Yet despite the sobering numbers, John Boccieri recently took to the House floor to defend his support for the Obama-Pelosi agenda by insisting that the $787 billion stimulus package has brought “real signs of economic life and prosperity” to the state of Ohio. And just last week, John Boccieri and his allies at the DCCC dismissed news of additional job losses in the 16^th district as mere “political fodder”, expressing no concern for policies that led to the loss of dozens of jobs in Medina County. “If this is John Boccieri’s definition of ‘prosperity’, I’d hate to see what his idea of poverty looks like,” said Renacci spokesman James Slepian. “While Mr. Boccieri is busy patting himself on the back for what he and Nancy Pelosi have done to our economy, the unemployment rate in Stark County is sitting at 12.3%, with the underemployment rate approaching 20%. Rather than doing Nancy Pelosi’s bidding for her, John Boccieri owes it to his constituents to level with them about the state of our economy and to commit to abandoning the failed policies that have defined his short tenure in Congress,” Slepian added.
June 4, 2010 at 3:07 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

May 14, 2010

After Long Battle Against G.M., Jim Renacci's Chevrolet Dealership to Shut Down Next Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com AFTER LONG BATTLE AGAINST G.M., JIM RENACCI’S CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO SHUT DOWN NEXT MONTH *Republican Congressional Candidate’s Dealership was Slated for Closure after the Obama Administration’s Government Takeover of G.M. in 2009* Canton, OH—Today, Jim Renacci announced that his Wadsworth Chevrolet dealership, which was targeted for closure following the government takeover of General Motors in 2009, will close its doors next month. Renacci was first notified in May of 2009 that the dealership was one of over a thousand nationwide that would be terminated. For months, Renacci has been fighting against his dealership’s pending closure through the arbitration process in an effort to save nearly 40 jobs in his community and preserve a business that had been a local landmark for more than 50 years. Renacci first took ownership of the dealership in 2007, which GM quickly approved and recognized was in the best interest of the dealership. The previous owner had mismanaged the dealership and it was in jeopardy of closing at that time. Renacci stepped in and acquired it in an effort to save local jobs and shortly thereafter he successfully stabilized the once troubled business. Nevertheless, Renacci’s franchise was ultimately dismantled as a result of the government takeover of GM. “When the Obama administration first made clear its intention to take over General Motors and to dictate to small business owners whether or not they could continue to operate privately owned businesses—which in some cases had been their family’s livelihood for over 50 years, I feared we were witnessing one of the darkest days in American capitalism. And today, as I was forced to face my employees and tell them that we lost the fight and they’ve lost their jobs—it was clear that my fears were not misplaced. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to overcome the government’s ‘restructuring plan’ from the outside—but I am now left even more committed to restructuring our government’s plans from the inside,” Renacci said.
May 14, 2010 at 6:05 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

May 6, 2010

National Republicans Elevate Jim Renacci's Campaign, Officially Name Him A 'Young Gun'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com NATIONAL REPUBLICANS AGAIN ELEVATE JIM RENACCI’S CAMPAIGN, OFFICIALLY NAME HIM A ‘YOUNG GUN’ Canton, OH—Today, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced that Jim Renacci’s campaign has advanced to the final stage of the Committee’s “Young Guns” program—declaring Renacci one of the top Republican challenger candidates in the nation. The NRCC’s “Young Guns” program is dedicated to identifying, recruiting and electing the strongest Republican candidates in the country. In naming Renacci as an official “Young Gun”, the NRCC verified that Renacci has built a strong campaign structure, met important fundraising goals and is now poised to defeat John Boccieri in the fall. Today’s announcement by the NRCC comes just two days after Renacci emerged as the clear choice of 16^th district voters when he won a crowded four-way Republican primary by a substantial margin on Tuesday night. As a small business owner and the former Mayor of Wadsworth, Renacci has made his record as a proven job creator and a sound steward of the economy a cornerstone of his campaign. After building a small business from the ground up, Renacci went on to create over 1,500 new jobs in the region and has employed over 2,500 Ohioans. As Mayor, Renacci brought his business background to his role in government and successfully balanced the city’s budget and converted its deficit into a surplus, without raising taxes. “Today’s announcement by the NRCC is testament to the growing strength of this campaign and the momentum behind our effort to return this seat to the people of the 16^th district. I remain humbled by the tidal wave of support for this campaign that continues to swell across our district, and I look forward to taking on John Boccieri in the fall and serving as a voice and a vote for our district in Washington,” Jim Renacci said. ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
May 6, 2010 at 5:39 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

May 5, 2010

Renacci Wins Nomination, Bring On Boccieri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com RENACCI WINS NOMINATION, BRING ON BOCCIERI Canton, OH—Last night, voters in Ohio’s 16^th congressional district elected Jim Renacci as the Republican nominee to take out John Boccieri in the fall. Despite a crowded primary field, Renacci secured the nomination by a sizeable 10-point margin, with a very strong showing district-wide. Speaking to supporters after declaring victory last night, Jim Renacci said, “I am honored and humbled to have received the Republican nomination for Congress in the 16^th district. To the voters across our district who allowed me the opportunity to earn your trust and your support over the past few months, I want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. As this campaign forges ahead, I hope you will all join with me in this effort to give our district back its voice in Washington. It is my sincere hope that all of us, Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike, recognize that the problems we face are not Republican problems or Democrat problems—they are American problems that require American solutions. I am a very proud Republican but I am an American first, and with your continued support and hard work in the months ahead, I know that together we can restore the accountability, responsibility and integrity to our government that we as Americans so desperately want and deserve.” Jim Renacci’s record of balancing budgets in both the public and private sectors and his history as a proven job creator in the community clearly resonated with voters across the district who have been suffering under the massive deficit spending and heavy job losses that have defined John Boccieri’s time in office. Jim Renacci’s strong showing across the district last night has left him well positioned to defeat Boccieri in the fall. “Although I am pleased to join you in celebrating a victory tonight, we must keep in mind that this win and this campaign is not about me, it’s about our community taking one big step forward towards freeing this district from the grip of Nancy Pelosi and the failed leadership of John Boccieri. I have no doubt that John Boccieri is a fine enough man, but he’s proved to be a very bad Representative for our district. Our district needs and deserves a voice in Washington whose loyalty lies with the people of this district, not with Nancy Pelosi and Washington’s special interests. I look forward to the campaign ahead and standing shoulder to shoulder with all of you in this fight to return this seat back to the people of the 16^th district,” Renacci added. ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
May 5, 2010 at 10:49 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

April 29, 2010

Family Research Council Action PAC Endorses Jim Renacci for Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL ACTION PAC ENDORSES JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS *Family Research Council calls Renacci “a true friend of the family”* Canton, OH—Earlier today, Family Research Council Action PAC, the political action arm of the Family Research Council (FRC), announced its endorsement of Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16th congressional district. The FRC is a leading national organization dedicated to the promotion of marriage, family and the sanctity of human life. “Jim Renacci has proven that he is a true friend of the family. We need representatives who will fight to defend the family against the radical leadership in the House of Representatives as they try to place an overwhelming debt burden on our children and grandchildren,” said Tony Perkins, President of FRC Action PAC. “Jim Renacci has been an active business owner in his district for 27 years and as Mayor of Wadsworth he was able to balance the budget without raising taxes. During these difficult economic times, when so many Americans are unemployed and worried about what tomorrow will bring, the 16th District needs a representative who will fight full time to be a voice for the people. Mr. Renacci is the right person to take on John Boccieri in this district and win…we are proud to support his candidacy,” added Perkins. “I am deeply honored to have received the endorsement of the Family Research Council Action PAC. I remain humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, both within our district and across the country, for my campaign to restore common sense conservatism to our nation’s capital. In the coming days, weeks and months ahead, I hope to continue to earn the support of voters across the 16^th district and look forward to serving as their new voice in Washington,” Jim Renacci said.
April 29, 2010 at 9:42 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

April 23, 2010

Wayne County Republican Party Endorses Jim Renacci for Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com WAYNE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSES JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS *Wayne County GOP calls Renacci “by far the best candidate” to remove Boccieri* Canton, OH—Today, the Wayne County Republican Party announced its official endorsement of Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16^th district. Party Executive Committee members voted to endorse Renacci at their board meeting in Wayne County on Wednesday night. “During the past several months as he’s campaigned throughout our county and across our district, Jim Renacci has demonstrated that he is, by far, the best candidate to take out John Boccieri in the fall. His proven dedication to core conservative values, combined with his decades of experience creating jobs, balancing budgets and helping grow our economy, sets him miles apart from the other candidates in this race. We are confident that in Washington, Jim Renacci will serve as a voice and vote for our values and our community, and we are proud to endorse him as the next Congressman from Ohio’s 16^th district,” Wayne County Republican Party Chairman Jim Smail said. A resident of the 16^th district since 1983, Jim Renacci has dedicated that past 27 years to raising a family, growing a business and serving his community. His experience in public service includes five years as a volunteer fireman, two terms as President of the Wadsworth City Council and one term as Mayor of Wadsworth. As Mayor, Renacci balanced the city’s $80 million budget and converted its multi-million dollar deficit into a surplus, without raising taxes. As a small business owner, Renacci created over 1,500 new jobs in the region and has employed more than 2,500 Ohioans. “I am deeply honored to have received the endorsement of the Wayne County Republican Party. Over the past several months as I’ve campaigned throughout our district, I’ve enjoyed spending a great deal of time in Wayne county, talking with residents about the issues that matter most to them and discussing how we can move our country forward together. Not only have I been humbled by the groundswell of support for my campaign, but I have also been greatly encouraged by the thirst for common sense conservatism that I have seen and heard in Wayne County and across the district. I am truly grateful to have earned this endorsement and I look forward to serving as a new voice for our district in Washington,” Jim Renacci said. ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
April 23, 2010 at 12:53 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

April 6, 2010

Ohio Right to Life Endorses Jim Renacci for Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE PAC ENDORSES JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS Canton, OH—Earlier today, Ohio Right to Life PAC, the political action arm of the Ohio Right to Life Society, endorsed Jim Renacci for Congress in Ohio’s 16th congressional district Republican Primary Election. The Ohio Right to Life PAC is dedicated to electing and supporting pro-life candidates and Jim Renacci was the only 16^th district congressional candidate in the upcoming May 4th Primary to earn the group’s endorsement. In a statement issued earlier today announcing the endorsement, Ohio Right to Life PAC Executive Director, Mike Gonidakis, said that candidates earning their endorsement, including Jim Renacci, “clearly represent the pro-life movement within Ohio…(and) have displayed their commitment to preserving life.” Responding to the endorsement, Jim Renacci said, “I am humbled and deeply honored to have received the endorsement of the Ohio Right to Life PAC. As a committed pro-life candidate with life-long convictions and beliefs about the fundamental importance of protecting and preserving the sanctity of life, I could not be more grateful to have earned the support of an organization whose work and mission I have such sincere admiration for. It is my hope that with their support, and the support of voters across the 16th district, I can go to Washington and serve as a voice for our entire community, particularly the most vulnerable among us.” ### For more information, please visit RenacciForCongress.com
April 6, 2010 at 6:22 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

April 2, 2010

Jim Renacci for Congress Campaign Launches First Television Ad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 1, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com JIM RENACCI FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FIRST TELEVISION AD Canton, OH—Today, the Jim Renacci for congress campaign launched its first television ad, highlighting Jim’s proven record as a job creator in the 16^th district and his decades of commitment to both his community and his family. As the ad points out, Jim Renacci is running for congress to serve as a voice for common sense conservatism in Washington and to implement the pro-growth, fiscally responsible ideals that have guided his life as a business leader, a Mayor and a family man. “At a time when northeast Ohio is desperate for jobs and voters are anxious for new, fiscally responsible leadership in Washington, Jim Renacci stands out as the only candidate in the race who has not only created 1,500 new jobs in the region but who has also proven his ability to bring common sense conservatism to government. As a small business owner, Jim Renacci grew a business from the ground up and understands what it takes to balance a budget, meet a payroll and tackle the issues that employers and employees face every day throughout America. As a Mayor, he brought fiscal responsibility to government, balancing the city’s $80 million budget and converting its deficit into a surplus, without raising taxes. Jim has dedicated his entire adult life to serving and growing his community, and he’s ready to serve as the new voice for the 16^th district in Washington,” Renacci’s spokesman James Slepian said. In addition to creating over 1,500 new jobs in the region, Jim Renacci has employed more than 2,500 Ohioans over the course of his career. As a cornerstone of his campaign for congress, Jim Renacci is committed to reining in government spending and promoting policies that will foster job growth in the 16^th district and across the country. In the past 14 months alone, the unemployment rate in the 16^th district has nearly doubled, and now exceeds 14% in some areas.
April 2, 2010 at 6:09 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

March 22, 2010

Boccieri's Betrayal on Health Care Raises $50,000 in 48 Hours for Renacci Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com BOCCIERI’S BETRAYAL ON HEALTH CARE RAISES $50,000 IN 48 HOURS FOR RENACCI CAMPAIGN *Outraged voters from across Ohio and around the nation arm Renacci to Defeat Boccieri* Canton, OH—Since word first spread last week that John Boccieri was considering voting in favor of the Obama-Pelosi health care plan, Jim Renacci’s congressional campaign witnessed a rapid rise in campaign contributions from concerned voters, both within Ohio and across the country. Following Boccieri’s Friday morning press conference, during which he verified that he would in fact support the Obama-Pelosi plan, the already steady stream of donations to the Renacci campaign quickly evolved into a tsunami—as outraged voters pumped nearly $40,000 into Renacci’s war chest on Friday alone. In total, on-line, mail and in-person contributions to the campaign topped $50,000 between Wednesday evening and close of business on Friday. Donations continued to pour in over the weekend as John Boccieri made his flip-flop on health care official, by casting one of the deciding votes in favor of Obama-Care on Sunday. “Voters in the 16^th district and across the country are furious with John Boccieri for his decision to once again fall in line with Nancy Pelosi and cast a deciding vote for this reckless and unconscionable piece of legislation. At a time when Americans can afford it least, this bill will raise the cost of healthcare for working families and take a wrecking ball to what’s left of our economy. John Boccieri and his Democratic colleagues have pursued a failed agenda in Washington while ignoring the will of their constituents at home, and now the American people are fighting back—with their voices, their votes and their wallets,” Renacci spokesman James Slepian said. ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
March 22, 2010 at 11:32 AM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

March 21, 2010

Jim Renacci Responds to Passage of the Obama-Pelosi Health Care Takeover
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2010 CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN James@Renacciforcongress.com 330 618 2412 JIM RENACCI RESPONDS TO PASSAGE OF THE OBAMA-PELOSI HEALTH CARE TAKEOVER *House Democrats ram through Obama-Care, Boccieri proves to be a deciding vote* Canton, OH—Earlier tonight, Jim Renacci issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Obama-Pelosi health care bill and John Boccieri’s role as one of the deciding votes. “Today’s passage of the Obama-Pelosi health care bill in the U.S. House of Representatives stands as a new low for a Democrat-controlled Congress that had already secured its place in history as a breeding ground for some of the most misguided, thoughtless and reckless policies this nation has ever seen. As millions remain jobless and a majority of Americans continue to oppose this legislation, Democrats in Washington have thwarted the will of the American people by ramming through a bill that will raise premiums on families, increase taxes and devastate what remains of our already tattered economy. While our system is clearly in need of reform to lower costs for all Americans, not only does this bill fail to decrease costs, but it burdens American families with a $2,100 annual increase on premiums and $570 billion in higher taxes. At no time in modern history have we witnessed one political party amass and abuse its power more rapidly, and deny and deride the will of the American people more contemptuously, than the Democratic Party has in the past 14 months.” “Here in northeast Ohio, our district has witnessed the unemployment rate double in the past year, which now exceeds 14% in some areas. Jobs are scarce, wallets are light and our residents are struggling to makes ends meet. The American people simply cannot afford the higher premiums and higher taxes that will be thrust upon us with the passage of this bill—and the situation will only worsen as thousands of employers across America are forced to cut more jobs and pay lower wages in order to manage the drastic increase in health care costs they will all now face.” “By joining Nancy Pelosi and serving as one of the deciding votes in passing the Obama-Pelosi health care takeover, John Boccieri has demonstrated unconscionable indifference to the will and the well being of his own constituents. While we will all suffer the consequences for the damage he has done, not only today, but throughout the past year, I take solace in the fact that in the months ahead, I can offer the people of the 16^th district a clear alternative on the ballot who understands that this district belongs to them, and not to Nancy Pelosi. Although I am deeply disheartened and disturbed by the passage of this horribly irresponsible and unwanted legislation, I remain confident that with new voices and new leadership in Congress, we can very soon begin the process of righting the wrongs of today and returning our government back to the American people.” ### For more information please visit RenacciForCongress.com
March 21, 2010 at 11:21 PM in Press Releases \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

March 19, 2010

Boccieri Betrays District, Commits to Support Obama-Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2010

CONTACT: JAMES SLEPIAN

James@Renacciforcongress.com

BOCCIERI BETRAYS DISTRICT, COMMITS TO SUPPORT OBAMA-CARE

Despite clear opposition from constituents, Boccieri stands with Pelosi on Health Care

Canton, OH—At a press conference held earlier today, John Boccieri announced that he will be voting in favor of the health care legislation that Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi are attempting to push through the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Despite recent polls illustrating that a majority of his constituents oppose the bill, John Boccieri once again placed the demands of Nancy Pelosi over the needs and concerns of the 16^th district.

“Like a majority of residents in the 16^th district, I am saddened, disheartened and angered that John Boccieri has again demonstrated that his voice and his vote in Congress belongs to Nancy Pelosi, rather than those he was elected to serve. At a time when the people of northeast Ohio desperately needed their Congressman to stand up for them and to stand against a trillion dollar government takeover of health care that will further cripple our economy and raise premiums on families, John Boccieri has failed us all. As Democratic leaders in Washington continue to buy votes for this bill through shady backroom deals and political payoffs, one has to wonder exactly what John Boccieri was promised in exchange for his decision to sell-out his own district and flip-flop on this disastrous piece of legislation,” Boccieri’s Republican opponent Jim Renacci said.

Since John Boccieri assumed office, the unemployment rate in Ohio’s 16^th district has doubled, and now exceeds 14% in some areas. As employers continue to cut jobs, countless businesses across the state and the nation have cited the massive increase in health care costs they would incur as a result of this legislation as a primary factor in their inability to hire new workers. Many employers have stated that they would be forced to continue cutting jobs and reducing wages in order to meet the cost demands they will face if Obama-Care becomes law. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office reported that the Obama-Pelosi plan will increase health care premiums on families by an average of $2,100 annually, and increase total spending on health care as well.

“Our