Paul Hackett (politician)
On April 9, 2009, Hackett, acting as
This is the only known instance in American Jurisprudence that a jury acquitted a defendant of murder charges after the acceptance into evidence by the trial court and publication to the jury of the defendant's alleged audio confession.
Background
Hackett, who
He has a Bachelor of Arts from Case Western Reserve University and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law. Hackett also attended American University in Washington, D.C., studying under the university's Washington Semester program in Journalism. Hackett was admitted to the Ohio bar on November 7, 1988, and practices law in downtown Cincinnati with the Hackett Law Office, which he opened in 1994. Additionally, Hackett was admitted to the Colorado bar on April 26, 2016.
Hackett saw active duty in the
campaign and reconstruction efforts there in addition to acting as a convoy commander on over 150 convoys throughout Al Anbar Province during his deployment. On October 21, 2004, a convoy under his command was hit by two roadside bombs, but Hackett was uninjured. He returned to Ohio in early 2005.Hackett continues to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and retired from the Marine Corps in April 2022 after more than 28 years of commissioned service in the Marine Corps. Hackett's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Hackett is married to Suzanne (Suzi) C. Hackett. They have three children, Grace (born 1997), Seamus (born 2000), and Liam (born 2003). The family lives in Indian Hill, an affluent Cincinnati suburb, on a small farm along the Little Miami River built in 1802.
Milford council
Hackett was elected to the city council of Milford, Ohio, a city in Clermont and Hamilton Counties, in 1995 to replace Chris Imbus, who was recalled from office by a vote of 410 to 86. In the recall election on May 2, he defeated businessman Jacques E. Smith by a vote of 388 to 81. On the Milford council, he opposed efforts to rezone a parcel of land in order to retain the Milford post office within the city limits. He resigned from the council in September 1998 to devote more time to his family and his law practice and was replaced on the council by James Gradolf. When Hackett purchased a home in Indian Hill in 2000, the purchase made The Cincinnati Enquirer's column of most expensive real-estate transactions in the area.
Race for Congress
Hackett decided to run for Congress because "with all that this country has given me, I felt it wasn't right for me to be enjoying life in Indian Hill when Marines were fighting and dying in Iraq," he told
Special general election
Hackett faced Republican nominee Jean Schmidt in the August 2, 2005, special election. Schmidt, a former schoolteacher described by The New York Times as "small, wiry, and intense, she exudes seriousness", had been a township trustee in northwestern Clermont County's populous Miami Township for eleven years before four years in the Ohio House of Representatives.
The district was a strong Republican one. In 2004, 64 percent of the vote in the presidential election went to
John Green, a
- It's definitely worth it to the Democrats to put in the effort if only to keep the party energized. Even if Paul Hackett loses, it is very important for the party for him to do well. It could be seen as a sign of opportunities for Democrats in other GOP strongholds.
Hackett was undaunted by the Republican composition of the district, claiming:
- No single party owns this district. It's not a Republican district, it's not a Democratic district. It's actually the seat of the citizens of the Second District. They deserve an opportunity to make an informed decision as to who will represent them in Washington, D.C.
Martin Gottlieb, editor of the Dayton Daily News editorial page, wrote a Republican landslide in the district was "a self-fulfilling prophecy":
- It is so overwhelmingly Republican that Democrats typically don't make a real effort as a party. A candidate puts himself up, but generally it's somebody who has no political strengths and gets no financial contributions or volunteer help to speak of. The campaign gets little attention. And the prophecy gets fulfilled.
Criticism of Schmidt
Hackett criticized
"If you think America needs another career politician steeped in a
He laid out his positions in that Post column:
- I'm for limiting government. I'm for fiscal responsibility. I'm for a strong national defense. I'm for fair trade. This means I don't need Washington to tell me how to live my personal life or worship my God. And I don't need Washington to dictate what decisions my wife can make with her doctor any more than I need Washington to tell me what guns I keep in my gun safe. I fought for Iraq's freedom, not to come back and have a government tell me I can't have my freedom because the world is too dangerous. Our freedoms are what make America great and desirable to the rest of the world and any government that wants to take away its people's freedoms under the pretense of national security is what makes the world more dangerous.
Hackett was highly critical of his opponent's record. On June 12, he went to Nicola's Ristorante on Sycamore Street in
The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a front page story on July 2, reporting on the candidates financial disclosure statements that revealed both were millionaires. Hackett was worth between $650,000 and $1,600,000, while Schmidt was worth between $1,700,000 and $6,800,000, most of her wealth in the form of a real estate company owned with her three siblings, RTJJ, LLC. These figures did not include the value of either's home. The Hamilton County Auditor valued Hackett's home on 5 acres (20,000 m2) at $552,800 and the Clermont County Auditor valued Schmidt's home on .667 acres (2,700 m2) at $138,510.
Hackett told The Enquirer, "I'm a self-made guy. I didn't inherit it. I didn't marry for it. What you see is what I made in the last decade." The newspaper noted the median household income in the district was $46,813. Schmidt used her own wealth in the campaign. She told
Hackett was a strong advocate for the
Both candidates talked of the environment. Hackett paddled down the Ohio River to call attention to its condition. Schmidt called for reducing America's dependence on foreign oil by increasing use of ethanol and drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Hackett opposed drilling in ANWR.
The candidates participated in only two debates. The first was held on July 7, at Chatfield College in
Hackett held campaign rallies in Waverly in the far eastern end of the district on July 11; in Loveland on July 19; Mariemont on July 20; and Lebanon, the northernmost part of the district, on July 21. Hackett arrived at many events on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
National attention on the race
Hackett attracted national attention to what had always been considered a safe Republican district. The New York Times ran a front-page story on him and articles appeared in USA Today and The Washington Post. USA Today wrote "if Democrats could design a dream candidate to capitalize on national distress about the war in Iraq, he would look a lot like the tall, telegenic Marine Reserve major who finished a seven-month tour of Iraq in March."
Schmidt made the
On July 19, Democratic campaign operative
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the official Republican Party body that helps candidates for the United States House of Representatives, announced on July 28, it was spending $265,000 for television ads in the Cincinnati market, covering the western part of the district, and $250,000 for ads in the Huntington, West Virginia, market, covering the eastern half. Carl Forti told The Cincinnati Enquirer "we decided to bury him" after Hackett told USA Today, in a story published that morning, "I don't like the son-of-a-bitch that lives in the White House but I'd put my life on the line for him." Forti said the NRCC had "no concern that she will lose. She will not lose."
The NRCC ran commercials noting Hackett had voted for tax increases while on the Milford council and quoting his statement on his website that he would be "happy" to pay higher taxes. The full quotation, in regards to raising the cap of $90,000 that Social Security payroll taxes are levied on was
- I for one would be paying more in Social Security taxes, but I'd be happy to. Why? Because we've all made a commitment to pass on a better America to our children. Our parents kept their word to us, and we have the same obligation. This pledge is a cornerstone of the American way of life. Those of us who have enjoyed success have a duty to uphold this commitment to our future generations.
The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, a Cincinnati-based group founded by Tom Brinkman (who lost the GOP primary to Schmidt), began running ads in the last week of July urging voters to skip the election. COAST's president, Jim Urling, told The Cincinnati Enquirer that this might help elect Hackett, but "we think it will be easier to remove a Democrat next year than an incumbent Republican posing as a conservative."
In the general election, the Democratic Dayton Daily News endorsed Hackett. The Daily News said Schmidt's attacks on Senators R. Michael DeWine and George V. Voinovich were "remarkably classless" and "seemed to be saying that voters who like legislators who exercise occasional independence from their party should not vote for her." The Daily News said Hackett was "not your classic suburban liberal" and urged "voter[s] looking for something beyond a conventional political background" to support him. The Cincinnati Post also endorsed Hackett. It noted Schmidt is the latest in a line of "Republican patricians" and "likely to be a dependable vote for the Bush administration" whereas Hackett is a gust of fresh air. If we had to put a label on him, it would be Libertarian Democrat. He says what he thinks and doesn't seem to have much use for the orthodoxy or the partisanship of either party."
The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote
- Hackett is an attractive candidate with many qualities to admire . . . bright, personable and charismatic, with an aura of leadership. That he put a comfortable career on hold and put himself at great risk to serve his country merits our respect and thanks . . . But some of the positions he's staked seem simplistic and not terribly well thought-out. He says the entire No Child Left Behind as "Orwellian." Hackett is also a critic of President Bush's tax cuts.
Ultimately, the newspaper did not endorse Hackett. "The 2nd District will get a capable representative no matter which candidate prevails Tuesday. But it should get more local bang for its electoral buck if it sends Jean Schmidt to Washington," wrote the editors.
General election results
Hackett ultimately lost by a narrow margin, only 3.27 percent, the best showing of any Democrat in the district since 1974. These were the final certified numbers as reported on the Ohio Secretary of State's website.[2]
Candidate | Party | Adams | Brown | Clermont | Hamilton | Pike | Scioto | Warren | Totals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jean Schmidt | Republican | 1,905 | 3,117 | 17,437 | 25,369 | 1,561 | 2,659 | 7,623 | 59,671 |
Paul Hackett | Democratic | 2,158 | 3,969 | 12,544 | 24,105 | 2,675 | 4,959 | 5,476 | 55,886 |
James J. Condit Jr. | (write in) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 |
James E. Constable Jr. | (write in) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Reaction to the results
Howard Wilkinson wrote in The Cincinnati Enquirer the morning after the election "the fact that Paul Hackett made it a very close election is nothing short of astounding... com[ing] close to pulling off a monumental political upset." Hackett won in the eastern, rural counties of Pike, Scioto, Brown, and Adams, while Schmidt won in the populous western counties of Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren. The Cincinnati Post editorialized Hackett's success in the eastern counties was in part from "the increasingly desperate struggle in rural areas to provide enough decent jobs for those who want them."
Following the election, many Democrats hailed the election as showing the weakness of Ohio's Republican party, which had been in control of Ohio state government for a decade, and public unhappiness with President Bush's policies. Hamilton County Democratic chairman Timothy Burke was delighted. "Paul was very critical of this president in a district that Bush carried easily last November, yet she barely hung on to win. There's a clear signal in that," he told The Cincinnati Post on election night. The Clermont County Democratic chairman, Dave Lane, told the Dayton Daily News "Here we are in the reddest of red districts and it was very, very close."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee claimed in a press release Hackett's strong showing meant trouble for Senator DeWine's re-election campaign in 2006, especially since his son R. Patrick DeWine had lost the Republican primary for the seat. "If Ohio is a bellwether state for next year's midterm elections, things don't look too good for the Republicans", claimed the DSCC. Republicans said the election meant nothing of the sort. "There is no correlation between what happens in a special election, where turnout is very low and you have circumstances that just aren't comparable to an election that happens on an Election Day in an election year," Brian Nick of the National Republican Senatorial Committee told The Cincinnati Post.
Peter W. Bronson, a conservative columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer, wrote "Hackett's surprising finish was less a repudiation of Bush than a repudiation of
John Nichols of
Hackett told The Cincinnati Post he stood by his criticisms of George W. Bush:
- Meant it, said it, stand by it. I'd say it again. For every vote I may have lost because of it. I probably picked up one or two.
One voter turned off was veteran Arthur Smith of Loveland, whose letter to the editor in The Cincinnati Enquirer on August 5, said Hackett
- attempted to fool the voters by masking the stench of his liberalism, using President Bush and the uniform of the military as a deodorant... I voted for the tax-raising Schmidt but had to hold my nose to do it. I figured it was the lesser of the two evils.
Jerome Armstrong stated in TomPaine.com that the returns tapped into the growing movement within the Democratic Party willing to take the Republicans head on about the direction of this nation.
Former President Bill Clinton recognized Hackett in an October 23, 2006, speech saying "I hope Paul Hackett sees that his courage to make people see the truth about our policy in Iraq, is now sweeping the nation."[3]
2006 campaign
Hackett on October 24, 2005, announced he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent
On February 13, 2006, Hackett announced that he was withdrawing from the race and ending his political career. Hackett told
One issue Hackett faced in his campaign is the status of his
Hackett later reconciled with Brown and backed his successful Senate campaign.[8]
No rematch against Schmidt
Following the exit from the Senate race, Hackett declined to enter the race for the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District against
Post-campaign
After withdrawing from the Senate race, Paul Hackett joined the Advisory Board of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America political action committee (PAC)[10] to support his fellow veterans running for Congress.
Hackett has also done some
. It is not known whether Hackett wishes to continue working in talk radio.On May 30, 2006, Hackett filed a
"After you've been in combat and you survived it, you've got this real energized sense that, 'I can accomplish anything,' and you view your country differently" he said for
On February 17, 2010, Hackett endorsed
See also
References
- ^ "NRA Endorses Jean Schmidt for US Congress". Buckeye Firearms Association. 13 July 2005. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022.
- ^ "Election Results: 2nd Congressional District: August 2, 2005". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 21 June 2006.
- ^ "Live Blogging III, Clinton: We are the progressive and conservative party". Ohio Democratic Party Blog. 23 October 2006. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006.
- ^ "Iraq vet Hackett drops out of Ohio Senate race". CNN.com. 14 February 2006. Archived from the original on 16 February 2006.
- ^ "Hackett statement on pullout from Ohio Senate campaign". The Raw Story. 14 February 2006. Archived from the original on 26 February 2006.
- ^ "Couldn't Hackett: Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett is told not to run for U.S. Senate by other Democrats, so Ed Helms gives a quick tutorial on not having beliefs". The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. 14 March 2006.
- ^ [1] Archived February 3, 2007, at archive.today
- ^ "Paul Hackett on Hardball". Crooks and Liars. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
- ^ "Will Hackett get a rematch with Schmidt?". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 8 May 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Paul Hackett Joins Board of Iraq and Afghanistan Vets PAC" (Press release). Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Political Action Committee. 2006. Archived from the original on 6 March 2006.
- ^ Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine[dead link]
- ^ "Paul Hackett sues Veterans Affairs: Former candidate, other veterans cite information theft". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 31 May 2006.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2013) |
- Jerome Armstrong. "More Hackett Jobs" Tom Paine. August 3, 2005. (Armstrong argues that Hackett's success can be replicated) [2]
- Elizabeth Auster. "Attorney staying in race to replace DeWine in Senate." The Plain Dealer. October 15, 2005. A6. (Hackett on Sherrod Brown)
- "A bellwether again". (Editorial) The Cincinnati Post. 16A. (Hackett's success in rural areas)
- "Best Democrat in 2nd race is Paul Hackett". (Editorial) Dayton Daily News. June 3, 2005. A12. (Endorsement)
- Peter Bronson. "OK, Hackett's a veteran--and . . . ?" The Cincinnati Enquirer. August 4, 2005. C11. (Bronson on why Hackett did so well)
- Ronald Brownstein. "All political eyes again turn to Ohio". The Los Angeles Times. August 4, 2005. 8. (Charlie Cook's remark)
- Lawrence Budd. "Hackett hopes duty in Iraq gives him edge in contests: Democrat seeks seat that was held by Rob Portman". Dayton Daily News. July 25, 2005. B4. (Friend suggests he run)
- Lawrence Budd. "Schmidt prevails in race for 2nd District seat." Dayton Daily News. August 3, 2005. A4. (Dave Lane's comments)
- Editorial staff (15 June 2005). "Choosing Portman's successor". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A14. Calls for a good, clean campaign.
- Collins, Michael (6 August 2005). "Dems: DeWine in trouble". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A10.
- Lisa Cornwell. "Democrats See Opportunity With Hackett". The Cincinnati Post. June 16, 2005. A20. (Why him and not Sanders)
- James Dao. "A Veteran of Iraq Running in Ohio Is Harsh On Bush". The New York Times. July 27, 2005. A1. (Hackett profiled)
- Brian Faler. "After Iraq, Marine Plans New Campaign". The Washington Post. July 21, 2005. A6. (Brief profile).
- Martin Gottlieb. "Hackett tests 2nd's Republicanism". Dayton Daily News. July 29, 2005. A10.
- Paul Hackett. "Hackett: No Rubber Stamp". The Cincinnati Post. July 23, 2005. A13. (States views in an opinion piece)
- "Hackett offers 2nd District fresher voice". (Editorial). Dayton Daily News. July 27, 2005. A8. (Endorsement of Hackett)
- Horstman, Barry M (27 May 2005). "County Democrats endorse Hackett". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A4. Hamilton County Democratic party endorses Hackett over other primary candidates.
- Horstman, Barry M (8 July 2005). "Debate shows sharp divide". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps. p. A12. First debate at Chatfield College.
- Horstman, Barry M (24 June 2005). "Hackett on attack in race: He sets sights on Schmidt". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company.
- Horstman, Barry M (10 June 2005). "The Democrats". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A1. Profile of race and the candidates.
- Barry M. Horstman. "A race of a different sort". The Cincinnati Post. July 30, 2005. A1. (Bennett's quote, Hackett approached at airport, Schmidt's condo money)
- Barry M. Horstman. "Schmidt wins in a squeaker." The Cincinnati Post. August 3, 2005. 1A.
- "Lawyer to Vie for 2nd District Seat". The Cincinnati Post. May 9, 2005. A9. (Announces run)
- Linn, Molly (23 June 2005). "Candidate puts focus on personal freedoms". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A8. Hackett's views on abortion, gun control.
- Lyle, Troy (1 July 2005). "Hackett calls for an Ohio River cleanup". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A10. Environmental views of the candidates.
- Bill Nichols. "Democratic candidates tout Iraq war experience". USA Today. July 28, 2005. [3]
- John Nichols. "Ohio Vote Should Light Fire Under Dems." The Capital Times. (Madison, Wisconsin). August 4, 2005. 12A.
- "Paul L. Hackett III". The Cincinnati Enquirer. June 8, 2005. C2. (Profile)
- Len Penix. "Council to vote on developer's plan." The Cincinnati Post. October 16, 1997. 2. (Post office rezoning)
- Len Penix. "Milford OKs zone change in effort to keep post office". The Cincinnati Post. November 27, 1997. 4.
- Len Penix. "Voters boot Milford council member from office". The Cincinnati Post. May 3, 1995. A8. (Hackett elected)
- "Priciest Homes". The Cincinnati Enquirer. February 6, 2000. C4. (Purchases home) [4]
- Jonathan Riskind. "Narrow Victory Underscores GOP's Rocky Road in Ohio". The Columbus Dispatch. August 7, 2005. 5B. (Amy Walter and anonymous quotes, "trauma")
- Malia Rulon. "Schmidt, Hackett don't see own wealth as issue". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 2, 2005. A1. [5]
- Bill Schneider. "Netroots activism arrives". CNN.com. August 5, 2005. (Effort on the internet and blogs to promote his campaign and raise money)[6]
- "Schmidt for Congress: Republican offers better experience, fit for 2nd District." (Editorial). The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 31, 2005. E1. [7]
- "2nd District Candidates". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 29, 2005. C2. (Profiles of all the candidates)
- Dan Sewell. "Iraq vet bids for Congress: Marine underdog in Ohio special election". Journal-Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana). July 22, 2005. 10A.
- Jim Siegel. "Four Face Ethics Probe: Lawmakers didn't report football tickets, dinner from biotech firm, inspector says". The Columbus Dispatch. July 8, 2005. 1B. .[8]
- Bill Sloat and Stephen Koff. "Cleveland-born man vying to be first Iraq war vet in Congress". The Plain Dealer. July 18, 2005. A1.
- Editorial staff (26 July 2005). "A special election". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. A12.
We endorse Hackett for the 2nd District seat.
- Irish Times. August 8, 2005. 9.
- "Vacant Seat". The Cincinnati Post. September 17, 1998. 16A. (Hackett resigns from Milford council)
- Jessica Wehrman. "GOP winner Schmidt sticks to schedule: Outdistances high-profile foes in crowded field." Dayton Daily News. June 16, 2005. B1. (Primary results, 57th most GOP district)
- Jessica Wehrman. "GOP's Schmidt has more cash than foe Hackett: Leads Democrat in 2nd District money race". Dayton Daily News. July 23, 2005. B4. (Finance reports filed with the FEC)
- Howard Wilkinson. "Anti-tax group, liberal PAC airing 'don't vote' message". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 29, 2005. B2. [9]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Boehner endorses McEwen in 2nd". The Cincinnati Enquirer. June 8, 2005. C2. (Hackett's endorsements) [10]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Debate shows differences". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 8, 2005. B1. [11]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Dems hope new guy has better chance". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 26, 2005. C3. (Burke says Sanders can't win, Democrats to endorse Hackett) [12]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Ex-Sen. Cleland lauds fellow veteran Hackett". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 22, 2005. [13]
- Howard Wilkinson. "FOP decries Hackett suit, endorses rival". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 28, 2005. [14]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Gun-toting Hackett still can't win NRA endorsement". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 13, 2005. C2. [15]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Hackett stepes up with ads, prominent campaigners". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 20, 2005. C2. [16]
- Howard Wilkinson and Malia Rulon. "Money pouring into race: National parties pay attention". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 29, 2005. B1. [17]
- Howard Wilkinson. "Sense of duty, purpose drive Hackett". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 24, 2005. E1, E5. [18]