Arndt, Helle condemn negative ads in House campaign

SANDUSKY — Steve Arndt and Joe Helle say they agree they don't like negative ads.Both said they object to criticism of Helle from the Ohio Republican Party. A party spokesman defended the attacks.Helle said that when the two began their campaigns, they agreed to discuss the issues and to avoid negative attacks on each other's character.A recent large postcard mailing from the Ohio Republican Party shows a clenched fist on one side and says, "You wouldn't like Joe Helle when he's angry."The other side mentions Helle's resignation under pressure from the Fremont Police Department and quotes an Oak Harbor councilman as saying that Helle, the town's former mayor, sometimes "has left the room because he's very angry." The flyer concludes, "Joe for state rep? Helle no!"After they filmed a 45-minute debate Wednesday at the Sandusky Register, Helle asked for the camera to be turned on again so the two could talk about negative ads.Helle said attacks such as the one from the state Republican Party are wrong."I agree with you, Joe. Those type of attack ads are uncalled for," Arndt said. "I have control of my Facebook page. I don't have control over what others put out. Go to my Facebook page if you want to see the real Steve Arndt."Blaine Kelly, a spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party, said the mailing attacking Helle isn't negative, it's educational."Joe Helle clearly has an anger problem," Kelly said. When the Republican Party spends money to talk about Helle's past, "we're going to educate voters. We're not going to pull our punches."Arndt said he's gotten negative attacks in the past. He said he hasn't noticed anything so far this time, but predicted, "I've got to believe they're coming."Rep. Steve Arndt and candidate Joe Helle agree that they don't like negative ads after a debate at the Register on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.