Having  campaigned with Obama, Which Mr. Smith loves to remind people of, he should be well aware of the game and how its played. He Raised all that money he can pay the bill.

By Ed Richter | Thursday, October 29, 2009, 12:02 PM

A.J. Smith, a candidate for the 2nd Ward seat on Middletown City Council received an expensive lesson in local politics.

Several weeks ago, his opponent John Soppanish, filed a complaintwith the Ohio Elections Commission concerning the use of photographs inSmith’s campaign literature.

While a probable cause panel rejected Soppanish’s complaint, Smithended up getting billed nearly $1,200 in legal fees to defend himselfand his campaign.

In these hearings, the person filing the complaint has the burden ofproof to convince the panel there was a violation of the elections law.However, Soppanish was not at the hearing and was not required to bethere, although it was strongly encouraged. Soppanish was at a meetingwith The Journal’s editorial board to discuss the Middletown citycharter amendment.

If anything, it goes to show folks that candidates need to be prepared financially for setbacks or potential legal challenges.