Steve Austria: Why he quit

(RE: “Austria bows out to avoid primary,” Dayton Daily News, Dec. 31, 2012) Steve Austria, Dave Hobson’s hand-picked successor, claims he is “not going to run for Congress next term as a result of the redistricting map.” Really? Here’s a career politician who for the past five elections has tried to convince his constituents that he will fight for them in Columbus and Washington, and now he’s dropping out because his Party redrew the map? Sorry, but if you believe that now, and you supported Austria since he was elected State Rep in 1998, you have taken foolish to a new level.

This was not Austria’s decision. The GOP elitists, led by House Speaker John Boehner, made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Even more disgusting is the Republican Party spin. “I’d like to be one of the first to thank Steve for his service to Ohio and our country,” says Mike Turner. Former Congressman Dave Hobson, who endorsed Austria twice for Congress, says, “(Austria) made the best choice – a graceful exit with integrity and honor.” And Montgomery County GOP Chairman Greg Gantt complimented Austria for doing what was best for the Republican Party by avoiding a costly battle. Make no mistake about it; Steve Austria did what was best for Steve Austria.

When the truth comes out regarding Austria’s undisclosed conflict of interest relationships with 501(c) non-profit corporations Nextedge Development Corporation (Springfield), the Dayton Development Coalition and the University of Dayton*, it will become crystal clear why lap-dog Steve Austria has now become a liability to the GOP. And it’s my guess that when Austria goes down, he’ll take more than a few familiar faces with him.

*The “smoking gun”: Steve Austria’s Federal Financial Disclosure Statements filed on May 15, 2008 (Form B) and May 24, 2011 (Form A), www.legistorm.com

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