Article: Petro ads over the line, Betty Montgomery says

Jimmy, Betty & Kenny?

December 6, 2005

Dayton Daily News

by Mark Fisher

Religion-values pitch from GOP candidate for governor

CENTERVILLE Betty Montgomery, a Republican candidate for governor, called rival Jim Petro's religion-and-values-themed television advertisement "a bit over the line" on Monday.

"I prefer to do my politicking from a podium rather than a pulpit," Montgomery said in response to a reporter's question following a press conference at the Municipal Building about her proposals to increase fiscal oversight of Ohio's charter schools.

In the 30-second TV ad, the state's attorney general says he opposes abortion and gay marriage, quotes the Bible, and says his faith gives him the chance to make more effective decisions. Images of Petro and his wife, Nancy, their children's baby photos and birth certificates, a wedding ring and a Bible flash across the screen.

The ad is running in the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown media markets. Petro's campaign officials would not disclose how much the campaign spent for the air time.

Montgomery, Petro and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell are seeking the GOP nomination for governor in the May primary. Montgomery denied rumors that she is pulling out of the race, suggesting that the rumors were "probably promulgated" by those associated with her two opponents.