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Balance of Power: The Politics, Policies and People

2018 was a big election year in Ohio. Republicans held onto all five statewide executive offices including governor and super majorities in both the Ohio House and Senate. But there were a few bright spots for Democrats, among them the reelection of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and the election of two Democrats to the Ohio Supreme Court.With election 2018 over, the focus now shifts to governing. Stay connected with the latest on politics, policies and people making the decisions at all levels affecting your lives.

Ohio Senate Candidate Renacci Takes Shots at 'Career Politician' Sherrod Brown in First Ad

Ideastream Public Media | By Karen Kasler

Published June 4, 2018 at 5:46 PM EDT

photo of Renacci ad — Politifact finds that Renacci's claim of Brown trying to avoid his taxes is "true."

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate is firing back at an ad from the Democratic incumbent with an ad of his own. This campaign was expected to be expensive, and now it’s certain to be nasty as well.

Like his opponent Sen. Sherrod Brown’s inaugural ad, Congressman Jim Renacci’s first one is negative, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1emUZRK73A

Brown’s second ad says Renacci tried to avoid paying taxes in 2012 – which Politifact ruled that year was “true."

Brown’s first ad claiming Renacci was a registered lobbyist while in Congress was rated “mostly false” by Politifact. Brown appears for only a few seconds in his ad.

Renacci is on screen the entire time in his, including when he challenges Brown to make his claims in person on camera. Brown said in a statement that he’d welcome a discussion on Renacci’s non-payment of income taxes.