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Tea Party Exchange businesses risk a boycott

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 9:27 AM Monday, August 16, 2010

DAYTON — Democratic congressional candidate Joe Roberts plans a possible boycott or other reaction to businesses that have joined the Tea Party Exchange, Roberts said on Sunday, Aug. 15.

“Once those businesses decided to become political they need to deal with that,” said Roberts, 25, of Kettering, who is running for the 3rd District seat against Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville.

Roberts will hold a meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters, 131 S. Wilkinson St., Dayton, to discuss a reaction to the formation of the Tea Party Exchange. He said a boycott will be discussed at the meeting, which is open to the public.

Last week Donald Hutchinson, president of Essex HR and Associates of Washington Twp., said he was forming the exchange to link conservative consumers with businesses whose owners support the Tea Party movement. The business owner pays Hutchinson at least $150 annually to participate. The business would then donate to local Tea Party groups 5 percent of sales made to consumers who show the TPX-Great American card, according to Hutchinson’s news release.

Last week Hutchinson provided a list of just over two dozen businesses that had joined, although some businesses asked to be removed from the list after Hutchinson announced the exchange.

Roberts said consumers have a right to know that certain businesses are giving receipts from sales to the Tea Party cause.

Asked if it was wise for a congressional candidate to advocate against businesses in the district he would serve if he wins, Roberts said, “We are not necessarily advocating against. I think it is important for people to know where their money is going.”

He said the possible boycott effort is no different from publicizing the names of top company officials who donate to certain political candidates.

“I think the most important thing is to let consumers know what their dollars are being spent on,” Roberts said.

Hutchinson could not be reached for comment.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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