A candidate continuing a regular media gig
(TV series, radio show, print column) during a campaign
has long been considered a violation of campaign finance law.
But is it a violation for a candidate's WIFE
to continue a regular newspaper column during her husband's campaign?
The question is no longer theoretical.
Fran DeWine, wife of Mike DeWine, who is running for Governor of Ohio,
is continuing her weekly food column in at least a few local newspapers:
http://www.fairborndailyherald.com/news/26619/frans-favorites-barbara-bushs-oatmeal-cookiesFurther compounding the question is the fact that
today's edition of the column (April 20)
recounts the time that Barbara Bush gave a speech to the public
on Mike DeWine's porch in 1992 (complete with picture.)
So the column, which is normally about recipes and home crafts,
is at least getting close to discussing politics.
The Fairborn Daily Herald and the Xenia Daily Gazette both carry the column.
I do not know if any other newspapers carry it.
Both the Herald and the Gazette are owned by Civitas Media,
which owns several dozen small town papers throughout Ohio.
Is continuing her column legal? I really don't know.
Law is like that. Sooner or later, some case arises
that forces people question exactly where the line has been or should be drawn.
