DaytonDailyNews.com

TROY — Miami County's Republican Party re-filed a complaint Tuesday, Nov. 4, with the Ohio Elections Commission against Melissa Stanley, Democratic candidate for 79th District State Representative, and the Ohio Democratic Party claiming Stanley has distributed several "false claims and misleading statements" about Republican opponent Richard Adams and has made "gross misrepresentations about herself."

Stanley, 20, of Piqua, faces Adams, 69, of Troy, in the race for the seat representing Miami County and eight townships in Darke County.

Election commission director Philip Richter said Monday, Nov. 3, the complaint was filed earlier that day, but rejected because it was not properly notarized. The complaint included the signature of a notary but not a required notary block including a phase the person signing the document made a sworn statement to the notary.

A probable cause hearing on the complaint is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, before an elections commission panel. The group will decide if there is evidence to support claims. If so, a hearing will be held before the full commission.

John "Bud" O'Brien, county GOP chairman, said Stanley and the Ohio Democratic Party "have stepped over the line this time" in verbal remarks and statements made in campaign literature delivered to voters in recent days.

"To attack Dick Adams with a last-minute campaign of lies, deceit and innuendo is shameless and a desperate ploy to scare people into voting for the unqualified Stanley," O'Brien said in a written statement.

Stanley responded by saying she "had hoped to have a spirited and clean campaign." She claimed the Republican Party "has resorted to dirty tactics and smears on the day before the election."

Adams said he rejects "negative campaign tactics" taken by Stanley. He said information being challenged "is distorted and does not meet the truth test."

Claims included in the Republican Party complaint include:

• Stanley's 4 by 4 yard signs do not have a mandatory disclaimer

• Stanley allegedly knowingly and falsely misrepresents herself as an economist

• Stanley allegedly knowingly and falsely stated at a public event that she "sat on the Education Committee at the Ohio Statehouse"

• Stanley and the Ohio Democratic Party falsely claim Adams did not approve of bonuses for overseas veterans

• Stanley and the Ohio Democratic Party falsely claim Adams said living on minimum wage is easy

• Stanley and Ohio Democratic Party knowingly and falsely claim on a mailer that Adams is endorsed by an animal rights group.

"The Republican Party and I both know that their accusations have no merit, but their intent wasn't to win in court but to smear my good name in the newspapers with no time left for me to respond," Stanley said.

She was provided the list of complaints Republicans said they were filing, but did not immediately respond to the individual complaints.

Stanley held a brief press conference at noon Monday, denied any out-of-line claims, made a few remarks about her campaign and left through a back door, refusing to answer questions.

Supporters distributed a sheet they said included her responses to the complaints and said she would only answer questions submitted to her in writing. Questions were submitted, but she failed to provide answers.

Stanley called the filing "an 11th hour tactic to attack" her because she "has consistently polled ahead" of Adams. Stanley was asked in submitted questions for details on polling.

"Stanley has proven herself to be nothing more than a puppet of the Democrat bosses in Columbus. Dick Adams has run a campaign based on the issues which are important in the district. I have confidence that the voters of Miami County will not be fooled by the negative campaign of Stanley and the Democrat machine," O'Brien said

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2292 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.