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Ben Konop
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Lucas County Commissioner, Ohio
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| In office 2007–2011 |
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| Preceded by | Maggie Thurber |
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| Born | March 1, 1976 Sylvania, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Visiting Professor, University of Toledo Law School |
Ben Konop was the Democratic Party candidate in Ohio's Fourth Congressional District for the United States House of Representatives in 2004, and received the highest percentage vote total of any House challenger in congressional races in Ohio that year at 41%. His opponent, Representative Mike Oxley, announced his retirement a year later. Konop presently serves as a Lucas County Commissioner. In April 2009, he announced his candidacy for Mayor of Toledo, Ohio.
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Early life
Konop was born and raised in Lucas County, attending Ottawa Hills public schools. At age 17, he became a page in the U.S. Congress. He received his B.A. in history from Emory University and attended Oxford University in England, studying history and literature. He received his Law Degree from the University of Michigan School of Law.
Career in politics
Konop, in his race against Mike Oxley, was named a member of the "Kos Dozen," a group of progressive Democratic politicians endorsed by the website Daily Kos in 2004.[1] Despite being outspent approximately $1.9 million to $175,000, Konop held Oxley to his lowest percentage since being first elected in 1981. Mike Oxley defeated Konop 59% to 41%. Konop also outperformed Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who received only 34 percent of the vote in the heavily Republican district.
After the 2004 election, Konop returned to Lucas County, where he defeated two challengers in a Democratic primary for Lucas County Commissioner on May 2, 2006. Konop received 47 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary. His opponents, Tim Wagener, the mayor of Maumee, and Phil Copeland, a Toledo City Councilman, received 27% and 26% respectively. Konop defeated Toledo City Councilman George Sarantou by a wide margin in the general election on November 7, 2006.
Controversies
Konop's campaign for County Commissioner was notable for two ethics pledges he has now broken, causing critics to question his character.[2] In a pledge he created and demanded his opponents sign, Konop stipulated that elected officials should "serve the full duration of their terms" and not seek higher office during that term.[3] Konop called this pledge his "contract with voters" and said "citizens deserve complete accountability from their public officials."[4] Ironically, Konop has broken both of these pledges in an attempt to seek higher office.[5] Konop has refused to resign his commissioner seat or repay the tax dollars he continues to collect, as some critics have asked as a result of his ethics breach.[6]
Konop's campaign for mayor has endured much criticism. In June 2009, a press conference called by Konop was derailed by a heckler shouting 'Liar' in a video that got much attention in the northwest Ohio area.[7]
Konop's tenure as commissioner was also shrouded in controversy as he was caught driving without auto insurance, and was forced to settle out of pocket after causing an accident.[8]
References
- ^ "Donate, get Lakoff's book," Daily Kos, October 7, 2004, [1].
- ^ "Critics recall Konop pledge as he joins mayor's race"[2]
- ^ "Konop calls on Thurber to sign ethics pledge"[3]
- ^ "Konop calls on Thurber to sign ethics pledge"[4]
- ^ "Konop Takes Step Toward Bid for Mayor" [5].
- ^ "Critics recall Konop pledge as he joins mayor's race"[6]
- ^ "Ben Konop Heckled At Presser[7]
- ^ "Konop Lacked Car Insurance at Time of Accident"[8]
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