O'Brien, Hanna Campaign Heats Up
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: October 16, 2012
Dozens of phone calls are going out to residents in Monroe County from people claiming to be from Ted O'Brien's campaign.
In these calls, voters are asked who they support, but the persistent calls aren't coming from O'Brien.
One of the lowest and dirtiest political tricks in campaign techniques. That's what Monroe County Democratic Chairman, Joe Morelle, says is the basis of phone calls made by Sean Hanna supporters who are pretending to be with Ted O'Brien's campaign.
"I was going to tell people not to vote for Mr. O'Brien to be honest with you, said Cynthia Groetsch.
Cynthia Groetsch is one of thousands who have been scammed. Going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Cynthia says she couldn't take the persistent phone calls
"Then again I checked out the facts, but maybe that's what they wanted you to do is not vote for Mr. O'Brien," said Groetsch.
Morelle says Hanna is running a shameful negative campaign.
"This is an attack that goes well beyond just sending mail. This is calling people in their homes repeatedly, harassing them and reporting to be something you are not," said Morelle.
Chairman Bill Reilich addressed the allegations made against Hanna and his supporters. He says, "Sean Hanna and our campaign have no knowledge of any such phone calls being made. Our campaigns focus on issues that pertain to the taxpayer, not high school hijinks."
Morelle says they are looking to take legal action. O'Brien and his supporters say they will concentrate on the campaign.
In these calls, voters are asked who they support, but the persistent calls aren't coming from O'Brien.
One of the lowest and dirtiest political tricks in campaign techniques. That's what Monroe County Democratic Chairman, Joe Morelle, says is the basis of phone calls made by Sean Hanna supporters who are pretending to be with Ted O'Brien's campaign.
"I was going to tell people not to vote for Mr. O'Brien to be honest with you, said Cynthia Groetsch.
Cynthia Groetsch is one of thousands who have been scammed. Going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Cynthia says she couldn't take the persistent phone calls
"Then again I checked out the facts, but maybe that's what they wanted you to do is not vote for Mr. O'Brien," said Groetsch.
Morelle says Hanna is running a shameful negative campaign.
"This is an attack that goes well beyond just sending mail. This is calling people in their homes repeatedly, harassing them and reporting to be something you are not," said Morelle.
Chairman Bill Reilich addressed the allegations made against Hanna and his supporters. He says, "Sean Hanna and our campaign have no knowledge of any such phone calls being made. Our campaigns focus on issues that pertain to the taxpayer, not high school hijinks."
Morelle says they are looking to take legal action. O'Brien and his supporters say they will concentrate on the campaign.
