Clarification and Transparency in the Endorsement Debate
Adding Context to the Crossman Contribution
I wanted to pop back in because Jeff Crossman reached out to me directly. He asked that I provide additional context regarding the approximately $108,000 contribution he made to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.
After speaking with him, I believe it is fair and responsible to provide that context so readers have the full picture.
Below is a summary and paraphrase of our exchange, followed by a statement from one of Jeff’s colleagues, and then my supplemental commentary.
For those who may not read the entire post, here is the core issue:
Jeff Crossman transferred the remaining funds from a prior campaign account to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party as he transitioned into a judicial race, which was required and permitted under Ohio law governing judicial candidates.
My concern has not been about whether Jeff complied with the law, but whether the county party should disclosed contributions from candidates during active endorsement processes.
This article lays out Jeff’s explanation, a colleague’s defense of his character and intent, and my argument that transparency during party endorsements should be the minimum standard moving forward.
Paraphrase From an Email From Jeff Crossman
Jeff explained that the contribution in question was governed by Ohio law and the ethical rules that apply to judicial candidates. Email was paraphrased because he explicitly told me not to share the email but to explain what happened.
According to him, judicial candidates are prohibited from maintaining an open political campaign account. Before declaring for a judicial race, a former political candidate must close any existing campaign committee. Campaign finance rules strictly limit how that can be done.
Jeff stated that once it became clear he would run for a judicial seat rather than a political office, he followed the law by closing his campaign account before circulating petitions. Donating the remaining funds to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party was, in his words, expressly permitted under Ohio Revised Code and aligned with advisory guidance from the Ohio Supreme Court.
He further stated that this method allowed the funds to be used by the party for general Democratic purposes, consistent with the original intent of the donors. He emphasized that it was made expressly clear to the party that none of these funds could be used to benefit his judicial campaign.
Jeff also stated that the contribution was disclosed prior to the endorsement process, and that framing the issue without the applicable legal and ethical context risks creating a misleading impression for readers who are not familiar with judicial campaign finance rules.
He expressed that raising questions is fair, but that context should be included so readers understand the governing law.
Statement From a Colleague of Jeff Crossman
A colleague of Jeff’s, who works in his office, reached out to share perspective about Jeff’s reputation and work ethic.
He stated that Jeff personally met with executive committee members, attended ward clubs for six months, and worked extensively to earn support prior to the endorsement process. He also noted that Jeff and others have volunteered significant pro bono time representing Democratic interests in litigation, including challenges to Republican initiatives.
He further stated that Jeff donated the funds specifically to increase Democratic turnout in Cuyahoga County, which he believes is critical to statewide Democratic success. He argued that allocating the funds to the county party was the best way to ensure they were used for voter turnout efforts rather than consultant fees, and that there is no Republican candidate in the judicial race to benefit Jeff personally.
According to the colleague, Jeff is a highly respected attorney and would make a strong judge.
My Supplemental Commentary
Now that you have read the additional context, I want to reiterate something clearly.
My original concern was not about Jeff Crossman personally. I made that clear at the time. Assuming Jeff acted in full compliance with the law and with the best intentions to support Democratic turnout, that still does not eliminate the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party’s responsibility for transparency during the endorsement process.
I have spoken to more than a dozen executive committee members. None of them were aware of this donation prior to the endorsement vote. In several cases, members did not even understand what I was referring to when I asked the question.
At a minimum, large donations made by candidates who are simultaneously seeking party endorsement should be announced to the executive committee prior to a vote. The party routinely announces if someone failed to vote in an election or failed to register properly as a Democrat. It should also announce when a six-figure contribution has been made during the same time frame as an endorsement process.
This is about transparency!
Again, I am not in favor of endorsements in primaries. But if endorsements are going to happen, then the bare minimum requirement should be transparency.
In my view, it would be even cleaner ethically to avoid endorsements altogether when a candidate has recently donated a large sum to the county party while seeking endorsement. That avoids even the appearance of conflict.
The fact that asking for disclosure and transparency has generated so much backlash is, frankly, mind boggling. If we are serious about campaign finance reform and reducing the influence of money in politics, then transparency around party finances during endorsement votes should be a slam dunk issue.
Jeff was in a difficult position legally. If his explanation is taken at face value, the path he chose was the most straightforward way to comply with the law and honor the donors wishes.
But, this is not about Jeff Crossman.
This is about the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party’s responsibility to ensure transparent processes when large sums of money are involved during endorsement decisions.
Do you agree? If so, let the county party know.
And let me know in the comments.