It's time to set the record straight regarding some spin tactics being used in the Republican primary election race for the 11th District state House nomination. In a race this important, truth and character matter.

Some Republicans have had the wool pulled over their eyes by candidate Brian Ellis and his supporters. They have been led to believe that someone else was responsible for revealing Ellis' criminal record.

Like a good used-car salesman, he has sold Butler County a lemon of a lie.

The truth is that it was Brian Ellis who approached our local news outlets with revelations about his past.

It was not Marci Mustello, any arm of the Republican Party, not candidate Bill Glassman, not U.S. Reps. Phil English or Melissa Hart, not Democratic candidates Fred Vero or Nick Newcaster. It was Brian Ellis.

Letters to the editor have made it appear that someone else was responsible for revealing his past. The truth is Ellis was responsible for revealing his past after hiding it from voters throughout his 2002 bid for the House seat.

Yes, Ellis lost the support of Republican leaders. But you have to ask yourself, would you support someone who lied to you for two years just to get money for his campaign?

I was raised to believe being truthful, upfront and honest with people is an important part of one's character. I hope character isn't being thrown out with the bath water in this race.

Ellis and his camp are now trying to use his "revelations" as a way to gain voter sympathy and to make him look like an underdog. The "Poor Brian Ellis" spin tactic his campaign is using is based on a false premise - the premise that someone else was responsible for going to the press when, in fact, he went to the press himself.

Not once has the Mustello campaign brought up Ellis' past. It is not an issue now and should not be an issue in this campaign.

Maybe someone should ask Ellis why he and his supporters continue to bring up his past when nobody else does.

Maybe the press should be aware of this as they read and print letters to the editor from Ellis supporters. The only campaign in this race focusing on Ellis' past is his own campaign and his supporters.

Maybe Ellis should be asked about how he stands on the issues important to the people of Butler County. Isn't that ultimately what a race for state representative should be about?

The issues?

I urge the voters of the 11th District to take a close look at what each candidate stands for in this race. Read between the lines and the spin.

Ask yourself, should you vote for someone based on the sale of a "bill of goods" that simply isn't true? Or should you vote for the person who will do the best job representing Butler County?

You'll eventually get to what matters in this race - who can best lead the 11th District with character and integrity.