Top Republican to lose elections board seat after nearly 30 years

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by Eric Marotta

News Leader Editor

Akron -- Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has found Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff "not fit" to retain his seat on the county Board of Elections.

Arshinkoff, who was first appointed to the four-member Board of Elections in December 1978, and other Republican Party officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Under state law, the secretary of state appoints members of each county's boards of elections. County Democratic and Republican parties nominate two members each to serve four-year terms. As they have since 1978, the county Republican Party nominated Arshinkoff, whose next term would have begun March 1.

In a Feb. 20 letter to Arshinkoff outlining reasons for her refusal to reappoint him, Brunner cited "substantial written evidence" including statements from current and former Elections Board employees. Brunner said the employees claim Arshinkoff created "a hostile work environment." Brunner also said evidence shows Arshinkoff is responsible for an "excessive" partisan atmosphere where "Republican Board employees have been intimidated from even talking to fellow Board employees who are Democrats."

Brunner cited affidavits by three Summit County Common Pleas Court judges who claim Arshinkoff, as Republican Party chairman, attempted to interfere with their official court duties.

"These affidavits lend strong evidence that you have engaged in conduct that jeopardizes the faith the public has in the fair conduct of elections, impugning your competence to continue as a member of the Summit County Board of Elections," Brunner stated.

Brunner, a Democrat, has this year approved 176 nominees to boards of elections statewide, rejected three nominees (including Arshinkoff) and is still considering the reappointment of two nominees, said Jeff Ortega, spokesperson for the secretary of state's office.

Ortega said the county Republican Party has until Feb. 29 to submit a new nominee for approval.

Ortega said the Summit County Republican Party's only other option is to appeal Brunner's decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.

E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171