House Democrats vote lawmaker out of caucus

Ohio House Democrats took the highly unusual step Thursday of voting to kick Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent out of their caucus — and some are considering taking legal action against her.

Kennedy Kent, a first-term Columbus Democrat, angered her colleagues when, on March 30, she sent a public records request to Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city officials related to her complaints that Columbus police are not taking reports of child abuse seriously. She has accused Police Chief Kim Jacobs of dereliction of duty.

The issue involves injustice to black residents, Kennedy Kent said, and the letter was written on Ohio Legislative Black Caucus letterhead and included the signatures of 15 members of that caucus.

But Rep. Stephanie Howse, a Cleveland Democrat and president of the Black Caucus, said neither she nor any of the other members gave Kennedy Kent permission to use their names.

“There is no apology,” Howse said. “She’s just digging down, and you cannot operate that way, especially when you’re elected and entrusted with people’s information. You cannot use it for your own personal agenda.”

Kennedy Kent said the letter was sent months ago. "I was really shocked today," she said, calling the move retaliation for Kennedy Kent a number of things — including her vote Wednesday for Rep. Ryan Smith, R-Bidwell, to be speaker. She said Black Caucus members never specifically told her not to use their names in the letter.

Kennedy Kent also clashed with House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, calling on him in late April to resign from leadership for suppressing "serious reports of threatening behavior, sexual harassment and open threats of physical violence during the 132nd General Assembly."

She filed a complaint against Strahorn with the Ohio House in early April. She said attitudes toward her issues with the Columbus Division of Police changed after Strahorn called Mayor Ginther a friend.

Though he denies her allegations, Strahorn on Thursday said the decision to kick Kennedy Kent out of the caucus related solely to her using other members’ signatures without their permission.

“We’ve extended ourselves, tried to work this out, said just come in and talk to people," he said. "She’s just refused to do that. The members whose signatures she used are upset about it, and legitimately so.”

Stahorn said he’s never heard of such a caucus vote before Thursday. He said Reps. Bill Patmon and John Barnes, a pair of Cleveland Democrats, were asked to leave the caucus, at least temporarily, a few years ago by then-Minority Leader Tracy Heard, but they were not formally kicked out.

Kennedy Kent likely no longer has access to caucus resources, such as its legal counsel or communication staff, Stahorn said.

Kennedy Kent has accused Strahorn of creating a “gang mentality” to intimidate members.

“The notion that I control my members the way she has depicted it is almost hilarious,” Strahorn said.

Howse filed a complaint with the House on May 2 accusing Kennedy Kent of "using my unauthorized signature to further her personal agenda."

Kennedy Kent won her primary race in May and is a heavy favorite to win re-election in the solidly Democratic 25th District, which includes much of eastern and northeastern Columbus.