FREMONT, Ohio — For the second time this campaign, state Rep. Gary Click has publicly claimed the support of an elected official who says he is not endorsing Click’s reelection.
This time, it is Democratic state Rep. Darnell Brewer, of Cleveland.
During Tuesday night’s NAACP candidate forum in Fremont, Click told voters that Brewer supports him over Democratic challenger Aaron Jones.
Brewer, however, says that is false.
“My support for the bipartisan work Rep. Click and I have done together should not be interpreted as an endorsement of one candidate over another,” Brewer told TiffinOhio.net Wednesday.
Brewer went further, saying he stands behind the endorsement Jones already received from the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.
“I also respect Aaron Jones and as a member of OLBC I stand by the endorsement decision made by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus,” Brewer said.
Brewer says working with Click is not an endorsement
Brewer said he and Click have developed a strong bipartisan working relationship during their time in the Ohio House.
The two serve together on the House Community Revitalization Committee, where Brewer is the ranking Democratic member, and jointly sponsored House Bill 393, legislation requiring certain correctional facilities to help people obtain state identification before release.
Brewer said he respects Click as a colleague and is willing to work with him when the two find common ground.
“I have always believed that good public policy does not have to begin or end with a ‘D’ or an ‘R,’ and when Gary and I find common ground on issues that can improve the lives of Ohioans, I am proud to work alongside him,” Brewer said.
But Brewer made clear that working with Click in Columbus does not amount to endorsing him for another term.
“Working across the aisle does not mean that we agree on every issue,” Brewer said. “Rep. Click and I have disagreed on several issues and legislation and I have not hesitated and will continue to hold him — or any other elected official — accountable when I believe their positions or actions do not serve the best interests of our communities, especially communities of color.”
Brewer said he has made only one individual endorsement in an Ohio House race this year: in House District 22, the Cleveland-area district he represents.
“The voters of House District 88 will ultimately decide who they want representing their community,” Brewer said.
Click has made this claim before
The dispute closely mirrors one Click had this summer with Tiffin City Councilman Kevin Roessner.
On July 3, Click’s campaign posted a photograph of Click and Roessner wearing matching campaign-supplied shirts.
“I am honored to have the support of Tiffin City Councilman Kevin Roessner,” Click’s campaign wrote.
Roessner told TiffinOhio.net that he had not endorsed Click and had no plans to endorse anyone in the House District 88 race.
Roessner said the shirt had been given to him for an America 250 event and that his participation was not intended as campaigning.
Click later doubled down.
“No one forced him to wear my T-shirt and hat or to pass out my merch,” Click wrote in August. “In fact he was eager to do it. That is support.”
Roessner then responded directly on Click’s campaign page.
“Engaging with candidates and attending local events reflects standard civic participation, not an endorsement,” Roessner wrote. “I exercise independent judgment, decline to enter campaign disputes, and will not be endorsing any candidate in this race. Please adjust your messaging accordingly.”
Now, less than two months later, Click has again told voters that another elected official supports him while that official says he is not endorsing Click.
Brewer’s response also undercuts any suggestion that his relationship with Click means he has broken with Jones. Brewer said he respects Jones and stands by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus’ decision to endorse the Democratic nominee.
Jones, a Tiffin city councilman and U.S. Army veteran, is challenging Click for Ohio House District 88, which includes Seneca and Sandusky counties.
