Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > November > 11 > Entry
Brunner gets police protection
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is receiving security protection from the Ohio Highway Patrol after receiving death threats, harassing phone calls and a suspicious package at her office in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.
The highway patrol confirmed it assigned troopers to Brunner but declined to discuss specific security measures being taken or how long the protection is expected to continue.
Police arrested Dana McArtor, 51, of Columbus and charged him with threatening a public official, which is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.
McArtor allegedly threatened to kill Brunner during a cell phone call to her office on Oct. 17. Brunner’s office picked up McArtor’s number on caller ID, O’Brien said. McArtor is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in Franklin County Municipal Court on Dec. 3, O’Brien said.
State troopers are also investigating a suspicious envelop mailed to Brunner’s office that had white powder on it. The Ohio Department of Health is testing the powder, according to Highway Patrol Sgt. Tim Karwatske.
When asked last week whether she was still receiving threats, Brunner said it appears things have settled down.
The Highway Patrol is also providing a security detail to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelley, who is on paid administrative leave while officials investigate her alleged use of state e-mail for political purposes and her authorization of background checks on Samuel “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher.
By state law, the patrol provides 24-hour security to the governor and his family. The governor may authorize the patrol to provide security to other state officials.
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment |
Comments
By kevin dewhine
December 19, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Yeah, David. Voter fraud, voter fraud, voter fraud. Like the grand ol’ party doesn’t want anybody voting, rounding up the Klan to keep the non whites from casting ballots. Yes, suh, massa. Voter fraud, what a joke! Here’s a note: Step away from the bong. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.By Capt. Oblivious
November 12, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
principledissent- Your whole argument assumes two things: 1) that all of these “overvotes” if unaccounted would all pull from Obama. You have no proof of this, but you say this sways the election in favor of Obama anyway. 2)That there was a large number of overvotes to begin with. How would you know if there were or not? The numbers haven’t even been officially released yet and somehow you have perview to all the election discrepancies? Talk about paranoia!!! Lastly, even IF (and that is a HUGE stretch of the imagination) all the overvotes went to Obama and you wanted to throw them all out, you would be throwing out votes for Obama on a technicality. People that went down to the stations and voted in good conscience would have their votes discounted because they didn’t properly fill out a form they see once, maybe twice, in four years….and one that typically looks different everytime they see it? Talk about ridiculous. You are trying to marginalize Obama’s support not because they are numerically inferior (which they are not), but because (allegedly, according to you) they didn’t present their vote in proper format. I pity the world if your idea of democracy were ever instituted.By Patty
November 12, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
She did not do her job. She did not ensure the integrity of our voting process. There was VOTER fraud and she refused to investigate. There were people that went to vote and were told they already voted by absentee ballot. What would you call that - a mistake. That is fraud! She is suppose to work for the people all of the people of Ohio. She is suppose to put her feelings aside and represent all of the people of Ohio. Many Ohioans wrote, called, and faxed for her to ensure the integrity of our voting process. She refused to listen to the people of Ohio - you know her bosses. She should be reprimanded for not doing her job. She should not be allowed to keep her job cause she does not respect the people of Ohio, nor does she respect the position that she holds.By principledissent
November 12, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
The election wasn’t hanging on Ohio, which is a good thing, because the Secretary of State (The Queen of Narnia) did everything she could to throw the election Obama’s way. The issue that is not getting touched is the “double bubble.” A great number of people who filled out paper ballots not only filled in the circle for Obama, but also filled in the write-in bubble and wrote in Obama. Under Ohio law, that vote is an overvote and should not be counted. SOS said that earlier in the year (when the election wasn’t on the line) in Advisory 2008-05 and Directive 2008-69. But, on the eve of the election, when she was learning of the massive Obama overvote, SOS issued Directive 2008-105, which said to count double bubbles for the candidate. On election day, SOS lawyers added to the illegality. There were also many votes cast for Obama only in the write-in area. The lawyers said that those were to be counted for Obama. Under Ohio law, only someone who has filed as a write-in candidate can receive write-in votes. Obama never did that, so he should not have received those votes. Then, during the election, SOS gave us Directive 2008-110, which requires paper ballot counties to go through ALL of their ballots and change the Obama “overvotes” to valid Obama votes. Even though those people had a machine beep at them and tell them that they had overvoted, they hit the button and sent it through. More fraudulent votes for Obama. Her reason for all of this fraud is “the voter’s intent.” Where did we hear that before? Oh, yeah, Florida 2000, with the Sore/Loserman campaign. SOS has a history of changing the law, and Republicans just can’t get either the guts or competent lawyers to challenge her. Her Directive 2007-32 gives her the power to change the public records law—a power she was never granted. The absentee voter observer case and the juvenile delinquent residence case show that she is often mistaken, but she is rarely challenged. So when she says the election was free and fair, don’t you believe it.By Alice
November 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Good for Jennifer for standing up for her job in the election. She didn’t refuse to verify registrations for whatever reason like so many are saying. She just refused to allow local politicians do the verifying that the Secretary of State is supposed to do. If anything, the legal wrangling took time and resources away from her office to do their job, and for nothing. She may belong to a party, but the Secretary of State’s office is SUPPOSED to run non-partisan and her actions kept our election process as non-partisan as possible. I am glad Republicans don’t have to count on democratic-controlled local government to verify registrations (because they shouldn’t), and vice versa. It’s hard enough to support a minority party on the local level. History has shown that partisan maneuvers usually make it harder for people to vote, not easier to commit fraud.By Bella
November 12, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
It is so funny how the corrupted Repubs are now up the creek without a paddle. Oh how the tables have turned. Americans are tired of the ‘good ole boys’ way. You have been stealing, lying,deceiving americans for so long. You are like pus ozing out of a wound. There should be one America. Not Dems and Reps. Its played out. You are tired. We don’t want or need it anymore. Get over it.By Ohio Voter
November 12, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
As usual, those criticizing Brunner can’t come up with any specifics whatsoever. The idea that Brunner mishandled the election in any way, or that a handful of bad ACORN registrations (which were flagged by ACORN as suspect but by law still had to be turned in) had anything to do with Obama’s victory is an absolute joke. If you want to come across as anything other than a paranoid conspiracist dittohead who is unquestioningly swallowing whatever repetitive drivel the right wants them to, come up with some actual solid evidence showing Brunner ran a partisan election, like we did in 2004 regarding Blackwell. Only problem is, you won’t find any, because the truth is simply not on your side. In any case, Republicans’ time would be better spent soul-searching about why so many millions of Americans rejected the Republican/right-wing agenda in this election, and get on board with those of us patriotic Americans who are moving this country forward.By David
November 12, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
LOL! If Obama stole the election he sure did do a better job of it than W ever did. W couldn’t even get a majority of the vote.By T Man
November 12, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
A couple of whack jobs do some incredibly stupid things and suddenly the Republicans are behind it? Isn’t that “political profiling?” You liberal Dem’s ought to know better than that!By Sassy
November 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
It seems folks who voted for McCain are still seething. Somebody had to lose, so get over it already and support your President Elect Obama!By Laura
November 12, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Here is my opinion about the Brunner situation,,I think that the highway patrol had every right by law to protect her and her family. I know if my life was being threatened by someone I would want law enforcement or the legal system to protect me. The election is over and we as a nation need to move on. I am white woman who voted for Obama because I am sad about the direction this country is going.By David
November 12, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
C’mon Mike. Republicans aren’t threatening Brunner. Some whack job is. I saw McCain on TV the other night and he refused to bash Obama. He said the country needs a gracious loser. Thats something we’ve never heard from a Dem. Remember Gore and Kerry? Hanging chads, contested elections? And Repubs are racist, i am so tired of hearing that argument. Didn’t Jesse Jackson use hateful speech when talking about Obama? I didn’t vote for Obama but I will support my President. And listen to yourselves, jumping all over people for spelling mistakes. Sounds like the speech of reconciliation to me.By Lost in McLin-Town
November 12, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Say what you want about Strickland (I’m not a fan, really) but at least he’s not a doofus like Taft was. What a moron!By nObama
November 12, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
200,000 invalid (but never removed) registrations from ACORN then BO wins by about that same margin? Now similar issues are showing up in Minnesota and Wisconsin? BO and ACRON stole this election, better start learning your goose step before the Fuhr takes over in January. Zieg Heil!!By Stacey
November 12, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I did not have to show my ID when I voted in Huber Heights either.By Fred E.
November 12, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Fear of losing jobs,fear of world depression,hatred of political groups, media bias in elections, state & local official fraud,hatred toward racial/cultural groups. Year 2008! NO! 1930’s Hitler Germany -FRIGHTENING!By Scott
November 12, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Tom, you must be kidding about Dems bring God back into the picture. They fight tooth and nail to keep Him out using the separation of church and state defense for everything remotely related to Christianity.By Scott
November 12, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Tom, you must be kidding about Dems bring God back into the picture. They fight tooth and nail to keep Him out using the separation of church and state defense for everything remotely related to Christianity.By Ben
November 12, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
Regardless of the results (yes, Obama won, and would have won regardless), you can’t say that Brunner conducted Ohio’s election in good faith. She set up a system that is ripe for fraud, and then said she didn’t have enough time to verify the registrations. As for Obama, I hope he leads the country to greatness, but his policies reek of those like Michigan’s governor (economy in the crapper, -1,000,000 jobs in her 6 years) and Rhine McClin (put Dayton back in the crapper after Mike Turner brought it back from the dead). At least Montgomery county and the surrounding areas have Turner’s voice in the house, as he actually gets things accomplished.By obamasgirl
November 12, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
ITS LIKE THE 60S ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE RACIST TERRORIST ACTS. THE PATRIOT ACT SHOULD BE USED AGAINST THESE IDIOTS ALONG WITH TREASON.By Barking bulldog
November 12, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
The woman is nothing more than a democratic hack. Period……………By Dale G.
November 12, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
I have just one comment, “what goes around comes around”. McCarthy couldn’t scare us (reps.) and McCain couldn’t either(reps.). Personaly I distrust anyone who plants the seed of doubt of my fellow Americans. Humph!!!!!By Dale G.
November 12, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
I have just one comment, “what goes around comes around”. McCarthy couldn’t scare us (reps.) and McCain couldn’t either(reps.). Personaly I distrust anyone who plants the seed of doubt of my fellow Americans. Humph!!!!!By Tom
November 12, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this
Hey Mike, I totally agree. There are so many racist republicans in this state. The were all for bush fixing the election in 2000. But Obama legitimacy winning the election in 2008, and they have a hissy fit. It’s so sad to see, but I believe truth, honor and justice are returning to America. The real democrats of the 40’s-60’s are back, and they are bringing God back into the picture in America too! As a Christian I am excited to this this, I feel like (GOP) Americans have ignored God and have embraced hate for far too long.By Mike
November 12, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this
This is so sad. The American voters have spoken. They have said that they are tired of the racism, lies, hate, and financial destruction of the past 8 years. And what do Republicans do? They threaten the health and safety of a righteous hard working woman all because they wanted to cheat their way to another election win. Well it’s over, and the American people have had their say, and righteousness has won. Racist Republicans have lost.By Bud
November 12, 2008 4:34 AM | Link to this
You need not look further than America’s large cities for examples of Democrat incompetence. New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and many more cities are all in severe financial trouble and are all controlled by the Democratic Party. Oh, and Dayton? Same thing.By John
November 12, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this
Mark; if you are going to call people DUMB because they voted for Mccain and PALIN, the least you could do is make sure you know how to spell simple words. Or at least use spellcheck if you are indeed that ignorant.By suzie
November 12, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Providing security has also created some jobs.By Mark
November 12, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
If we could only blot out all the ignorant people who voted and were encouraged by McCain and Palen. Republican’s are proud of their lock on really dum people. Who,by their stupidity, are blind to their sad lives.By justin
November 12, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
sounds to me like there are some sore winners and sore losers on here. though im a rebuplican i can actually be somewhat happy with the way the election turned out maybe there will be a black uprising and they will all realize it wasnt white people holding them down anymore it was lack of education and they will revolt against bad districts like dayton public schoolsBy justin
November 12, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
sounds to me like there are some sore winners and sore losers on here. though im a rebuplican i can actually be somewhat happy with the way the election turned out maybe there will be a black uprising and they will all realize it wasnt white people holding them down anymore it was lack of education and they will revolt against bad districts like dayton publis schoolsBy Savanation
November 11, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
It is quite easy to understand that Sen. McCain must have handily won the less than High School Diploma vote. Those voters all seem to be posting here.By navy vet
November 11, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Keep rocking honey, we’ve suppressed the American Taliban’s voice for now, but their be back, with all that anger and hatred, they can’t help themselves. True leadership will soon be at hand. COWBOY’S.By doc6212
November 11, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
envelope is usually spelled with an e at the end sad and patheticBy Barry
November 11, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
too many people took the blue pill this yearBy John
November 11, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Obama handily won Ohio. Get over it.By David
November 11, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Gop=bad losers huh? Really? Why did the chosen one have attorney’s standing by incase he lost? WHy did Gore take his fight to the Supreme Court? Why is Franken contesting the MN senate race and why are the numbers shrinking? Dems lead the worst congress ever. Libs are now began for us to “heal our nation” when they were the ones asking for conservative blood. I pay for my internet connection, my mortgage and my healthcare. I want to keep it that way.By Wordell
November 11, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
I believe Americans/Ohioans are now learning what happens in “3rd” world countries when corruption takes over determining the direction a country will go before/during/and after an election. I see it in Ohio. Ohio has become a seething puss hole of Socialist “wins”, and you wonder why the response is possible violence against your partisan political hack Secy’ of State? You play the game…you blatently expose yourselves as corrupt, and you wonder why (OH MY GOD!!!!) there is a negative, possibly violent, response!!!??? You hold all the marked cards, have the kitty in front of you, have informed everyone you’re corrupt…and then blame the opposition of terrible tactics? Damn…you’re leaning fast. Your play book of political subtrifuge, authored by Marx/Ingalls/Lenin/Stalin/Mao/Pol Pot is barely ruffled with earmarks. I’m sure you have more in store for us.By GOP = Bad losers
November 11, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, “America real” what exactly did the Secretary of State do that consitutes “abuse of power?” Ken Blackwell explicitly said that he’d “help deliver” Ohio to President Bush in 2004. Ms. Brunner has been classier than that and quietly did her job the best she could. Her thanks? Some mouthbreathers are threatening her life. Now a bunch of losers are bitching about her getting police protection on DDN.com with their 500 hour AOL free trial. Oh, and Jack, she’s not a part of the “Strickland administration.” If you voted, you’d know that she was elected (by a wide margin, I might add) independently of Governor Strickland.By Bill in Brookville
November 11, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
You guys gotta stop listening to the hate mongers linbaugh and hannada. just shut off fox and see what the real world is like. you’re not dittoheads your lemmingsBy Thomas
November 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
I didn’t have to show proof of id when I voted at the Montgomery County building. I just had to give them my State of Ohio id number, or give the last 4 of my SSN.By Barking bulldog
November 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Ms. Brunner is the type of politician one enjoys hating. She is an obvious democratic hack. Mostly, she exemplifies the fact that “governement doesn’t do things for you - it does things to you”. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll go to work for Barry Nobama - so she can screw us from Washingtion DC instead of doing us from Columbus.By America real
November 11, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Abuse of power in Ohio, again.By MidnightWriter
November 11, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Hmmm, seems to me I had to show ID when I voted. I’d guess that, and the fact that Obama carried the state by over 200,000 kinda kills the whole “fraud” thing, doesn’t it?By CAT
November 11, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
OMG!! State officials are given a free pass to crucify Joe the Plumber and run ‘background checks’ on him because he exercised his freedom of speech. Yet a state official gets police protection because some loon ‘threatened’ her? What a bunch of useless hypocrites in Columbus.By David
November 11, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Yeah Judi, those mean Repubs always steal elections by registering people multiple times, fighting for felons to vote and allowing homeless people to use park benches as their home address. Oh no wait that was all Dems! Amazing what people want to remember. Yeah he would have won but it was interesting to watch how underhanded Brunner was willing to get to deliver Ohio to the messiah. Voter suppression is such a joke. What about the Dems always trying to overlook the military vote coming in from overseas? Liberals are such hypocrites.By null
November 11, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Even if she did give Obama Ohio in the election, it wouldnt have mattered even if he didnt get this state. So why gripe and moan about it? He would still be pres elect w/o our state.By JUDI
November 11, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah, she handed Obama the win——-what a joke. She just wasn’t gonna let the Rups. do their usually voter supression act.By David
November 11, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Yeah Kevin, some loon threatens a state official and its a concerted effort by the GOP to destroy the government. Where is the Democratic outrage over Brunner single handedly giving Obama Ohio with all of her approved voter fraud? Dems wanted Harris cricified in 2000 in FL but they are silent over Brunner. Yeah the GOP is corrupt….By kevin DeWhine
November 11, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
McArtor is a registered Republican. Death threats against political opponents; Al-Qaeda-like disruptions to government like phone calls that tie up the lines and other mischief: Good to see that the Grand Old Party still uses Nixon-like dirty tricks to make up for lacking candidates!By Jack
November 11, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Another waste of taxpayer money from the Strickland Administration. Cant keep jobs in Ogio, but can make sure any and all state employees can get security.