Tom Brinkman

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Tom Brinkman bigraphy, stories - American politician

Tom Brinkman : biography

6 December 1957 –

Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr. (born December 6, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a Republican (GOP) former member of the Ohio House of Representatives from Cincinnati. He is known for his opposition to higher taxes and public spending, and has been nicknamed "Dr. No." Before his election to the Ohio General Assembly, he was active in Cincinnati politics; and he has been popular among rank-and-file conservatives for his strong pro-life and anti-taxation stances.

Brinkman was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress to replace Rob Portman in the Second District of Ohio in the special primary held June 14, 2005, but finished third with one-fifth the vote, losing to Jean Schmidt who ultimately won the seat. Brinkman considered again challenging Schmidt in the Republican primary in May 2006, but instead successfully sought re-election to a fourth term in the Ohio House. In December 2007, Brinkman announced plans to run against Schmidt in the March 2008 Republican primary. Schmidt won that primary, garnering 41,987 (57.51 percent) votes to Brinkman’s 28,897 (39.58 percent). A third candidate, Nathan W. Bailey, received 2,126 votes (2.91 percent).

Notes

Congressional bid

Second District, which includes seven counties in southern Ohio.]] Brinkman ran for Congress in 2005 to replace Portman, announcing his candidacy outside the post office in Anderson Township on April 14 . Brinkman told the press "When I first went to Columbus, I promised my constituents that I would fight for lower taxes, limited government, and to end abortion. I will do the same in Washington." An early poll found Pat DeWine, a member of the Hamilton County Commission and the son of U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, with a significant lead: 42 percent for DeWine, 6 percent for Brinkman.

Brinkman had a strong pro-life stance that was criticized by rival candidate Pat DeWine because he also opposed the death penalty – despite such opposition being seemingly more pro-life, as it is in accordance with the Consistent Life Ethic. One mailing from DeWine had a large, ominous photograph of a man in a ski mask pointing a gun directly at the viewer. The caption was "Tom Brinkman opposes the death penalty, even for child murderers, cop killers and terrorists who kill Americans." The mailing also stated "Tom Brinkman says he’s a conservative but when it comes to the safety of our families, he doesn’t stand with us" and that murderers "will get off easy if he casts the deciding vote." DeWine did not note that Brinkman’s opposition to the death penalty was rooted in his pro-life beliefs. Automated calls were made by DeWine’s campaign featuring Joe Deters, Hamilton County prosecutor. Deters in the recording stated:

In my career when I prosecute the worst of the worst like people who kill children, I believe the only appropriate punishment is the death penalty. Tom Brinkman is against the death penalty even for those vicious killers who prey on our kids, and he’s even against the death penalty for terrorists who kill Americans. Our next congressman must go to Washington and fight to remove these murderers from society. Tom Brinkman will work to stop the death penalty just as he’s done in Columbus. Pat DeWine believes these people should go. And that’s one more reason I support Pat DeWine for Congress.

One of Brinkman’s mailings said "Tom Brinkman believes all life is precious and must be protected. He has a 100% pro-life voting record." Brinkman’s position was that he was "100% pro-life from conception to natural death." While DeWine also stated his pro-life position, Brinkman noted on his web site "Because of [my] unwavering support of the Right to Life, from conception to natural death, Ohio Right to Life, Cincinnati Right to Life and Family First have again exclusively endorsed my election this year." In an Associated Press article, Brinkman was quoted as putting it more simply, saying he was "pro-life all the way" .