Tiffin, Ohio — Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart is raising some eyebrows after speaking at the “Biblical Citizenship in Modern America” course organized by the Patriot Academy, a controversial group that seeks to merge church and state, on Sunday at Restoration Alliance Church in Tiffin.
The Patriot Academy, founded by former Texas legislator Rick Green, has faced criticism for its far-right Christian nationalist ideology, particularly its opposition to abortion care, efforts to legislate against the existence of the LGBTQ community, and its militant “constitutional defense” firearms classes for minors.
Frankart addressed attendees about his role as a county commissioner and the ongoing fight for local oversight of the WIN Waste Innovations landfill. He expressed his frustration with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant a partial expansion permit for the landfill, stating, “We’re going to be relentless” in seeking community control over the facility. Frankart also fielded questions after his talk on topics ranging from illegal immigration to the integrity of elected officials.
In addition to his engagement with the Patriot Academy, Frankart has hosted fundraisers for Republican candidates, including then-U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance. He is set to host a fundraiser Monday evening for 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. Frankart was present in Washington, D.C., during the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, where he jokingly claimed to have sat in then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s chair. He also liked Facebook comments suggesting it was “time people stood up and said enough is enough.”
The Patriot Academy’s curriculum has faced scrutiny for promoting a worldview that many argue undermines the separation of church and state and marginalizes non-Christian perspectives. Critics point to the organization’s emphasis on a biblical interpretation of American history, which they believe distorts the secular foundations of the nation.
“This is a great way for local residents to meet their elected officials and learn about the many ways they can impact local politics and the community,” Frankart said of the class.
Frankart’s participation with the Patriot Academy aligns him with a movement aiming to reshape governance through far-right, Christian nationalist ideals. According to a press release from the Seneca County Board of Commissioners, local Republican leaders at the state level, including State Senator Bill Reineke and State Representative Gary Click, are also expected to speak at upcoming Patriot Academy events.
The organization has also been linked to broader movements aiming to reshape American governance to reflect Christian nationalist ideals. This has included lobbying efforts for a “Convention of States,” which seeks to amend the Constitution in ways that many fear could weaken federal protections for civil rights and environmental regulations.
