Ad accuses Foley of misusing authority
Dan Foley denies allegations made in TV ad featuring traffic stop.
Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley, who is running for a seat in the Ohio House, is accused in a television campaign ad of misusing his authority during a traffic stop by a Brookville police officer in June.
The ad features dash-cam video of a field sobriety test administered to Foley after the car he was driving was stopped by a Brookville police officer in June.
Foley, a Democrat, was pulled over June 23 by Brookville police for driving 44 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone, according to police records. Foley said he told the officer that he had had one beer earlier that day. Foley said he passed a field sobriety test, was ticketed for speeding and paid his fine a few days later.
“I was wrong to speed, and paid the ticket in a timely manner, “Foley said in a written statement. “I thank the officer for his service and for following all protocol to keep our community safe. I was disappointed to see my opponent’s allies attack this officer’s reputation and accuse him of a crime.”
The 30-second ad, which is airing on Dayton-area TV stations, is funded by Hardworking Ohioans Inc., a political action committee that is spending heavily in several close races for Ohio House seats.
The ad claims that Foley failed “multiple sobriety tests” and used his position as a county commissioner to avoid being cited for drunken driving. The ad labels him “just another corrupt politician” and closes by saying “We can’t trust Drunk Dan Foley.” About midway through the spot Foley and an officer shake hands.
The 22-minute dash cam video shows Foley walking a toe-to-heel line multiple times for officers.
There is no audio and viewers cannot hear what was said.
Brookville police Chief Douglas Jerome said Tuesday morning he has seen the ad but declined to offer more details on the traffic stop or comment on the officers’ actions.
Jerome said the traffic stop generated no detailed report beyond the speeding citation and a short officer’s log description.
The Brookville department received a public information request for the information within the past two weeks, Jerome said.
Foley is running for the 43rd House district against state Rep. J. Todd Smith, a Republican who was appointed to the seat in July. The seat had been held by Republican Jeff Rezabek until he resigned to become Montgomery County Juvenile Court judge.
Smith responded Tuesday: “Since my entry into politics, I have run a positive and issue-focused campaign. That has not and will not change. The events that have now come to light concerning Commissioner Foley are his issues, and he alone has the right and responsibility to address them. Any questions about this event should be directed to Dan Foley.”
Smith, who lives in Jackson Twp. and is a pastor at churches in Farmersville and West Chester, said the ad came as a surprise to him when he saw it on television Tuesday morning.
“What I do for a living is show respect even with people with whom I disagree. I’ve always done that. Me and Dan have always had an amicable — even personal — ability to interact. I’m going to keep it that way.”
The highly competitive district covers parts of Dayton, Englewood, Clayton, Trotwood, western Montgomery County and all of Preble County.
“This ad is an act of desperation,” said Ohio House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, in a written statement. “To accuse the Brookville police officer of corruption to score political points is shameful. This ad impugns the reputation of the ticketing officer, and suggests corruption within the department despite zero evidence.”
Foley said it was just the second time in 18 years he’s had a moving violation, the other also a speeding ticket.
The Columbus Dispatch reported last week that Hardworking Ohioans is run by The Batchelder Company, a Columbus lobbying and consulting firm co-founded by former House GOP senior staffers Chad Hawley and Troy Judy.