RNC launches digital ads highlighting Greg Landsman’s alleged ‘corruption’
The Republican National Committee has launched a digital ad campaign aimed at voters in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, highlighting Rep. Greg Landsman’s record of participating in secret meetings as one of Cincinnati’s “Gang of Five” that left taxpayers on the hook for a partisan agenda, and failing to disclose $1.5 million in stock trades.
The ad points to 2018, when Landsman and four other Democratic members of Cincinnati City Council were found guilty of violating Ohio’s Open Meetings Act.
According to court documents, one council member wrote: “Amen! We’re the new gang of five.”
That self-styled “Gang of Five,” which constituted a majority of the nine-member council, exchanged private texts and emails to coordinate their votes on city business. Under Ohio law, a partisan majority may not deliberate on public business outside of a public meeting.
The messages, which initially centered on how to stop “mini-Trump,” Mayor John Cranley, evolved over time into discussing broader business behind the scenes.
Court records show that votes were coordinated on blocking Cranley’s nominee to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority board, the Park Board, and matters related to the Cincinnati Stadium.
In a March 2019 settlement, Judge Robert Ruehlman told the Gang of Five that they had “essentially lied to the people of this city” and should resign. None resigned over the case, even though the city admitted to violating the Open Meetings Act and deleting texts.
Per the digital ad campaign, Cincinnati taxpayers were left to foot the bill of the $101,000 settlement, plus an additional $72,000 after the city spent money on outside lawyers for the five.
The ad also cites Landsman’s lack of financial disclosures. According to the Washington Free Beacon, Landsman’s original 2022 candidate filing listed six stock holdings worth $90,000 to $300,000.
An amendment filed nearly three years later listed 54 holdings worth $377,000 to nearly $1.5 million, including Exxon Mobil, Diamondback Energy and Horizon Therapeutics. According to the report, Landsman disclosed more than 87 transactions late, which a campaign-finance expert called a STOCK Act violation.
In Congress Landsman has backed bills to limit member stock trading, while he’s campaigned against oil and pharmaceutical interests.
Landsman has represented the Cincinnati-based district since 2023. He faces Republican Eric Conroy, an Air Force veteran endorsed by President Donald Trump.
