The state's Elections Commission has dismissed a complaint by a would-be Libertarian gubernatorial candidate alleging Gov. John Kasich's re-election campaign played a role in getting him bumped from the ballot.
Libertarian Charlie Earl alleges Kasich/Taylor for Ohio and Republican consultant Terry Casey conspired on a successful protest of Earl's nominating petitions that Casey initiated and the Ohio Republican Party later paid for. He wanted Kasich's campaign fined $720,000.
Casey says he brought the petition protest to spotlight Democrats' involvement in initially recruiting Earl, whose candidacy at one time had the potential to draw votes from Republicans dissatisfied with Kasich. In the end, Kasich won by a landslide.
The commission voted 5 -2 to dismiss the complaint, finding that it lacked evidence to support a fine or further review.
