Scioto GOP Committee Bucks By-Laws, Endorses Controversial Applicant for Ohio 90th District House of Representatives.
The Scioto County Republican Central Committee voted to endorse Justin Pizzulli’s application for State Representative Tuesday following a contentious and heated meeting. This vote comes after Pizzulli faced significant blowback from the Ohio House GOP caucus after his past support for left-wing candidates and causes surfaced. The chaotic meeting was streamed live by SCDN, and many thousands tuned in to witness the “Kangaroo Court.”
Scioto County Daily News previously reported on this story, but new details have come to light as the longstanding division in the party has come to a head. According to party insiders, Chairman Rodney Barnett stacked the room with supporters of Pizzulli in order to give the appearance of a legitimate vote. Motions and seconds from dissenting voices were left unaddressed, and the party’s by-laws were not followed. The legality of the procedure used at the meeting is unclear, as is the validity of the endorsement.
As previously reported, SCDN has obtained documents showing Pizzulli’s opposition to Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, his support for the legalization of all drugs, his support for Black Lives Matter and the LGBT movement, and his association with Democrat candidates for office in Scioto County.
Discussion of Barnett’s letter to the Ohio House GOP attacking 90th district applicant Gina Collinsworth took place. Shawn Stratton, a local attorney and committee member, admonished such behavior. During an exchange with Barnett, Stratton became agitated and declared, “You should be ashamed of that letter.” Barnett stood by the letter despite its truthfulness being questioned.
As previously reported, Barnett silenced anyone challenging his narrative during the meeting and attempted to prevent Collinsworth from speaking ahead of the endorsement vote. Collinsworth was eventually allowed five minutes to speak following a heated debate.
One attendee approached Scioto County Daily News, emphasizing disdain that the party has supported and tolerated questionable individuals in recent years. Chairman Rodney Barnett’s failure to call on Mike Mearan to resign from the GOP committee after his indictment on Human Trafficking charges was noted.
The same individual pointed out the suspiciousness of Barnett’s desire to avoid any questioning of the candidates following the release of records showing Pizzulli’s past advocacy against Republicans and concerns about whether he lives in the district.
Barnett expressed to the committee that the Ohio House GOP Caucus’ decision to delay its vote on Pizzulli’s nomination was entirely due to the internal war between rival factions within the caucus. However, records obtained by SCDN tell a different story. An email written by the Scioto GOP Communications Secretary outlining many concerns about Justin’s commitment to conservative values was confirmed to be why the vote stalled on March 1st.
Here are the complete statements made by the remaining candidates for the Ohio 90th District House of Representatives after leaving the meeting and reflecting on the events of the evening.
1. Joey Sandlin
There was chaos and disunity tonight in the Republican Central Committee Meeting. The truth was misrepresented as to the process going on at the State of Ohio House of Representatives.
It was told tonight that Justin Pizzulli was already chosen and was just waiting to be seated. When I was a candidate for the 90th District, I was called directly by the Chairman of the selection committee and told that everyone was still being considered for the seat.
I was embarrassed as our Chairman spoke about a story where he scolded Republican House members like they were school children. I am a man of respect and honor, and I do not believe that our local party should ever speak to other Republicans so disrespectfully, especially those who are elected officials that are in the Statehouse who have authority over us.
Rules of order were either very inconsistent or completely ignored. Our Republican Central Committee Chairman and leadership ran the meeting with very tight control over who was allowed to speak and what they were allowed to say, ensuring that only one side of this issue was all that was heard.
As a strong Republican, I left the meeting ashamed, discouraged, and very disappointed at the way the personal agenda of our Chairman was the only voice that was allowed to be heard tonight.
2. Gina Collinsworth
Last night’s Scioto County Republican Central Committee meeting was saddening and disappointing. Chairman Rodney Barnett refused to follow proper meeting procedures, leaving motions and seconds unaddressed and ignored. He attempted to prevent me from being able to speak ahead of the vote endorsing for the 90th district seat. He resisted transparency at every step along the way, silencing those with questions and talking over anyone with a differing point of view. He stood by the dishonest letter that he sent to the Ohio House GOP Caucus against me.
To sum up this meeting: the Chairman broke the by-laws, silenced the truth, and betrayed conservative values of honesty and free speech.
The legitimacy of this meeting is questionable, as is the validity of this unprecedented and rushed endorsement vote. I am running for this seat because I know we need change not only in Columbus, but locally. I hope that the Scioto GOP Central Committee will unify and return to its mission of electing strong conservatives who will work hard for the people.
