Posts by Gregory J. Lestini

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:01 -0500

Tidying Up: Spring Cleaning for Your PAC

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:02 -0400

There Is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:03 -0400

A Closer Look at Kentucky's 2024 General Election

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:00:04 -0500

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's 2024 election results reflect key shifts in the political landscape, both locally and nationwide. As part of a strong national showing for Republicans, President Trump won Kentucky with 65% of the vote, an increase from 2020. Every county swung further in his favor, underscoring the state’s deepening Republican alignment. Republicans also maintained a wide margin in the Kentucky State Legislature, signaling stability in local governance.

Ohio Ethics Commission annual report highlights top five categories for investigations in 2022

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:00:05 -0500

In its 2022 Annual Report, the Ohio Ethics Commission provides statistics and lists on several of the Commission’s activities for the year including a breakdown of the top five categories for investigations last year.

2022 General Election Update

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 09:00:06 -0500

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Ohioans, like the rest of the country, cast ballots in the 2022 General Election. Ohioans voted on all statewide constitutional offices, one U.S. Senate seat, and several important statewide and local ballot issues. Early turnout for the 2022 General Election was greater than the previous statewide 2018 general election.

2022 August Primary Election Results and Analysis

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:00:07 -0400

Ohio held the state’s second Primary Election on August 2, 2022, featuring partisan primaries for State House and Senate candidates and also central committee seats for state political parties. As expected, turnout was low at only 7.93 percent according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s unofficial tallies.

July 21 is the Pre-Primary campaign finance filing deadline for the August 2 Primary Election

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:00:08 -0400

Please be reminded that because of Ohio’s bifurcated Primary Elections, today is the Pre-Primary campaign finance filing deadline for the August 2 Primary Election, to disclose activity through July 13, 2022. If your political action committee (PAC) engaged in any activity related to the primary elections for State House or State Senate, you may need to file a report by the end of business today, July 21, 2022. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Conference ethics considerations

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:09 -0400

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and returns to the new normal, in-person conferences have also returned from their hiatus. Accordingly, it is an appropriate time to review ethics laws regarding public officials and employees at conferences.

Ohio Ethics Commission announces the top five categories for investigations in 2021

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:10 -0400

In its 2021 Annual Report, the Ohio Ethics Commission provides statistics and lists on several of the Commission’s activities for the year including a breakdown of the top five categories for investigations last year.

First half 2022 review, General Election, and preview of Lame Duck Session

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:11 -0400

The Ohio General Assembly finished the first half of 2022 with a rush of lawmaking, appropriating billions of dollars in infrastructure spending, and making policy changes in a range of subjects.

2022 Primary Election Update

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:00:12 -0400

On Tuesday, May, 3, 2022, Ohioans cast their ballots in the state’s Primary Election. May’s Primary Election did not include candidates for state legislative districts, due to the ongoing litigation regarding the new maps for state legislators created through the redistricting process. Candidates for state legislative districts will have a separate primary, likely held with the already scheduled special election on August 2, 2022.

Governor DeWine signs House Bill 51 into law, allowing for virtual public meetings until July 1, 2022

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:13 -0500

On February 17, 2022, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 51 into law. House Bill 51 includes an uncodified provision authorizing public meetings to be held by teleconference, video conference or other similar electronic technology through June 30, 2022.

Ohio Elections Commission determines foreign national cannot contribute to a ballot issue PAC

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:14 -0500

The Ohio Elections Commission recently issued an advisory opinion addressing whether a foreign national can contribute to a ballot issue political action committee (PAC) in Ohio.

Ohio Ethics Commission calls for enhanced penalties for ethics violations

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:15 -0500

In its January 26, 2022, press release, the Ohio Ethics Commission is urging the Ohio General Assembly to enact enhanced penalties for persons or entities convicted of giving unlawful gifts or payments to any public official or employee in Ohio state or local government.

Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts revised House and Senate maps

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:16 -0500

After failing to meet the Ohio Supreme Court’s ordered deadline for submitting House and Senate district maps, the Ohio Redistricting Commission passed its third version of district boundaries by a 4-3 vote on February 24, 2022. Auditor of State Keith Faber (R) joined the commission’s two Democratic members opposing the maps.

Ohio’s campaign finance laws permit use of peer-to-peer payment systems

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:17 -0500

If you are thinking about using Venmo to accept campaign donations, you now have guidance from the Ohio Elections Commission to permissibly do so.

Tidying up: Spring cleaning for your PAC

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:18 -0500

With a busy state and federal election cycle coming up this year, spring is an ideal time to give your Political Action Committee (PAC) a thorough cleaning. These checklist items should be part of your regular PAC maintenance. If you haven’t asked yourself these questions in a while, now is an ideal time.

Ohio Supreme Court invalidates revised state House and Senate maps

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:00:19 -0500

On February 7, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court invalidated the state House and Senate district boundaries that were recently adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The majority, in a per curiam decision, ruled that the commission’s revised maps still favored Republican candidates instead of adhering to the proportionality favored by statewide voter preferences of 54 percent Republican and 46 percent Democratic. Analysis showed the revised maps created 57-42 and 20-13 Republican majorities in the House and Senate respectively.

Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts new four year House and Senate maps

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:00:20 -0500

While most were watching the Bengals defeat the Titans in the NFL playoffs on January 22, 2022, the Ohio Redistricting Commission adopted new state House and Senate district boundaries. The commission faced a midnight deadline to comply with the Ohio Supreme Court’s order. The party line vote, 5-2, establishes the districts for four years. A bipartisan vote creates 10 year districts.