Former Senate Candidate Surprised Lousy Campaign Failed

Traci “TJ” (they really, really want you to call her “TJ”) Johnson is alleging, quite baselessly, that “foul play” and a “conflict of interest” are why she wasn’t certified by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s office.

Johnson filed “close to 2,000 signatures” in her Senate bid, but only 834 were validated. Candidates need 1,000 to make the ballot.

So let me get this straight. We should all be shocked that a campaign, which I never heard so much as a peep about before filing day, didn’t make the ballot?

And what about Johnson’s own conflict of interest, her years working for Brunner’s primary opponent Lee Fisher?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Lee Fisher had anything to do with this. Period. End of sentence. Clear?

But if we’re really going to start saying that Jennifer Brunner used underhanded tactics to disqualify this slip-shod campaign, is it really that much further off-base to say these are the actions of someone (who really wants you to call her “TJ”, to the point of typing Traci “TJ” Johnson four times in one email) with excess loyalty to their former boss?

But before I go starting wild rumors, I think it’s far more likely that “TJ” is just a little upset. Perhaps she should seek a little counseling from Rep. Charlie Wilson before throwing her credibility away.

Anyway, the full release is below so you too can enjoy the desperation and TJ-ness in it’s entirety.

Secretary of State Brunner blocks opponent Traci “TJ” Johnson from May Ballot

Columbus, Ohio – March 9, 2010 - Traci “TJ” Johnson community servant and candidate for United States Senate finds herself caught between two political giants, Lee Fisher and Jennifer Brunner. Johnson, in a history making feat, is running to become the 1st Female and 1st African American United States Senator for the State of Ohio.  If elected she will be the only African American in the United States Senate. 

The Johnson for United State Senate Campaign is alleging foul play and conflict of interest from the Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s Office.  The campaign gathered and filed close to 2,000 signatures for the office of the United States Senate with Jennifer Brunner her opponent.  Brunner’s office validated 834 signatures preventing her opponent Traci “TJ” Johnson name from appearing on the May 4, 2010 Primary Election Ballot.

Johnson campaign is in disbelief after collecting close to 2,000 signatures to have 834 validated to miss the ballot by 166 signatures.  “We will contest this decision made by my opponent and her office.  I owe it to the people of Ohio to make sure that we have a fair and equitable political process. I will fight to make sure that every signature is counted.” The Johnson campaign has vowed to scrutinize the remaining 1166 signatures and validate each signature.

“Ohioans across this State are fed up with the games that politicians play with people’s lives. This new government demands new leadership, Washington is regurgitating politicians every month. We can no longer send politicians to Washington, we must send real people, who relate to real problems, concerned about real people and will provide real solutions.”

And for those counting, the bold line was both the subject line and reprinted in the body.