Potential Ohio Senate candidate pleads guilty in election records case
Cameron Knight
A candidate vying for an Ohio Senate seat pleaded guilty to tampering with records as a Clermont County Commissioner in 2018.
Former Commissioner David Uible pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor in municipal court Friday, special prosecutor Joel King confirmed.
Uible was accused of submitting petitions for re-election with illegal signatures during the 2018 race.
Uible told The Enquirer Friday that what happened was an "honest mistake," for which he takes full responsibility.
"My priority is to do the right thing, and that's what I did today," he said.
These accusations prompted the Clermont County Board of Elections to deny his bid for re-election, but the criminal case against Uible was prompted by a private citizen affidavit from Chris Hicks.
Hicks has repeatedly challenged the lawmaker while he sat on the county commission.
In a federal settlement signed by Uible this July, the county commission admitted Hicks' First Amendment rights were violated when he was denied the right to speak during public meetings. Hicks was awarded $146,500 as part of the settlement.
Since then, Uible applied to be appointed to the 14th District Ohio Senate seat left vacant by Joe Uecker, but was not chosen. However, he said he remains dedicated to the people of the district and may try for the seat in 2020.
"I am actively considering running in the March primary in order to implement policies that promote economic growth, minimize unemployment in the most blighted parts of the district, and provide representation in Columbus that is reflective of the constituents in the 14th District," Uible told The Enquirer.
After Friday's conviction, Uible faces up to 180 days in jail. Clermont County Judge Richard Ferenc scheduled a sentencing hearing in the case for Dec. 9.