There's a new game show in town: GUESS YOUR CANDIDATE

The newest political game in Ohio is called, Guess the Candidate, and we'll be playing it for the rest of the political season. The object of the game is to test your knowledge of candidates' real voting records with what they say in their stump speeches and compared to who is funding those campaign promises.

Join us as we propose our first contestant -

that'll be, Hamilton County Politics for $7,600, Alex."

And, the question is:

Who is the candidate seeking your vote who did an abrupt about-face on implementing rules to regulate landfills in Hamilton County and over-rode the rule passed by the Hamilton County Solid Waste Policy Committee that was supported by numerous organizations like the Sierra Club, Rivers Unlimited, Oxbow, The League of Women Voters, and Ditch the Dump, while taking thousands from Rumpke?

Contributions to the OH Secretary of State showing that Rumpke's attorney made donations to a candidate during the trash negotiations.Photo byRedacted from the Ohio Secretary of State, May 10th, 2024

This candidate accepted donations from Rumpke, or Rumpke-affiliates, totaling at least $7K since turning their back on truck loads of residents, environmental organizations, and the oversight committee established to protect the county. Instead of reveling in the wake of the public celebrating the passing of the first rule in county history to regulate landfills, this candidate reversed her position and negotiated a deal that made Rumpke - very.... well, generous.

The law firm representing Rumpke started making donations to the candidate as early as September 2022 while candidate chaired committee.Photo byRedacted from the Ohio Secretary of State, May 10th, 2024

Hamilton County hosts the largest landfill in the state, which is run by Rumpke. In 2021, Rumpke opened a second landfill just miles from it. This candidate did a full reversal on the issue and had the rules watered down giving Rumpke significant advantages and took out provisions to protect the public and stripped the committee of its powers and put them into just 1 person - an employee that answered to the candidate.

Rumpke has donated nearly $100K to political campaigns over recent years to ensure regulations are not passed to protect residents.Photo byThe Cincinnati Post, October 2022

Rumpke dumps a lot of trash cash in the coffers of politicians, so to make it easier to figure out, it wasn't Colerain Township Trustees Dan Unger ($8K), Kathy Ulrich ($8K) or Matt Wahlert ($7.5K) who also serves on the county solid waste committee. Nor is it Representative Cindy Abrams or Senator Bill Blessing who received about $20K, each.

Here's a "life-line" if you need a little help figuring it out:

Hint #1: the same person who allowed Rumpke to remain on the Solid Waste Committee illegally until the threat of a lawsuit made them resign.

Hint #2 - the same person who refused to remove a Rumpke consultant - paid by Rumpke - and to remain on the committee despite a conflict of interest.

Hint #3 - the same person who fought against raising dumping fees for trash coming into Hamilton County from as far away as 600 miles. (1/2 of all the trash dumped on Hamilton County comes from other counties and states.)

If you still can't figure it out, go to the linked news story below and see who did the opposite of what they promised in secret, behind-closed-doors meetings.

Hamilton County's new landfill rules give public more input (wcpo.com)