Ohio Coal Association Targets Space, Boccieri

Votes by Ohio Democratic Reps. Zack Space and John Boccieri in favor of House climate change legislation this year have made them targets for Ohio Coal Association President Mike Carey.

“These guys represent coal-mining areas,” said Carey, adding that, “they voted against their constituents.”

Carey said while his association donated to Space in past races, including a $1,000 contribution Feb. 10, “we are not going to do that again.” Carey said he was not sure how much his organization previously has helped Boccieri, but that he wouldn’t get any financial help next year.

Now with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holding hearings on climate change legislation, Carey said the effort against Boccieri and Space is also aimed at influencing Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has withheld support for climate change over its potential impact on the coal industry.

The association has put up approximately a dozen billboards apiece in Boccieri’s and Space’s districts carrying the message: “Like a puppet on a string, Congressman Boccieri danced to Nancy Pelosi’s tune in voting for the National Energy tax. Senator Sherrod Brown, don’t make the same mistake.”

The billboards feature an illustration of House Speaker Pelosi dangling Boccieri and Space by strings; they say the message comes from “the thousands of hard-working coal industry workers in the district.”

Carey said the billboards are just the beginning of a “sizable campaign” that will hold the Ohio Democrats accountable for their vote. He added that, through this effort, “Hopefully we’ll get Sen. Brown to know that all votes have consequences.”

Boccieri defended his vote by saying, “First and foremost, I consider that vote to be about national security.”

Space said he pored over data on his way before making a decision on his vote and that while Carey no longer supports him, there are other coal producers in the district who do.

He and Boccieri rattled off facts and figures on ways the legislation will benefit their districts in terms of solar power and other alternatives.

But Carey was unswayed. “I am sure that this vote affected their fundraising abilities,” he said.

The coal industry’s campaign complicates re-election for Boccieri and Space, who already are among four Ohio House Democrats targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has put all four of their Republican opponents on its watch list.

Republicans still see the most likely pickups as the other two seats held by freshman Democratic Reps. Steve Driehaus, who represents the west side of Cincinnati, and Mary Jo Kilroy, who represents the Columbus area that is home to Ohio State University.

Boccieri challenger Jim Renacci raised $204,000 during the past quarter to $186,000 for the incumbent, although Boccieri has three times the amount of money that Renacci has left.

Republicans are further energized in Space’s district by the fact that newly announced candidate state Sen. Bob Gibbs raised about $115,000 in 10 days, compared to Space’s $262,000 for the quarter. Space holds a considerable advantage in cash on hand with $975,000 as he entered the final quarter of the year.

The NRCC has included Renacci and Gibbs among the 32 candidates given its “On The Radar” distinction for the amount of money they have raised.

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