SENATOR GARY CATES

OHIO SENATE, 4TH DISTRICT

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March 13, 2010

Seth Morgan
77 S. High St
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Seth,

I’ve read the Dayton Daily News article entitled County GOP chairman denies endorsing Morgan for state
auditor and am troubled by a pattern that appears to be emerging in your campaign.

Those of us who take great pride in public service understand that, while there is a place for politics, the goal
of an elected official must be the vigilant pursuit of the truth. Your campaign is not living up to the very high
standards voters expect from our leaders. After recently reading an error-filled smear you promulgated against
a private citizen, I was ashamed of your tactics. Since then, I’ve learned from more than one of our legislative
colleagues that you are using their names for endorsements you did not earn, or were specifically told you did
not have.

Further, yesterday’s press release touting your so-called “Tea Party” endorsement included a reference to a
group, the Buckeye Firearms Association, that has denied endorsing you. Now, with Chairman Gantt’s
revelation, your campaign has serious questions to answer, and I’m concerned that your behavior proves
you’re not ready to serve in the office you seek.

As a member of the Ohio General Assembly I have had the honor to serve alongside Jim Petro, Betty
Montgomery, and Mary Taylor as our state auditor. Each of them has ably served us with the highest
professional standards as officeholders and as candidates. Unfortunately, your record as a candidate thus far
concerns me that you are lacking in the requisite skills to be able to serve in this important position. I would
be hard pressed to name another fellow GOP candidate who has run as poorly executed and questionable
campaign as you.

In your rush to do what seemed politically expedient, you ignored the truth, and that isn’t acceptable. Our
voters demand an Auditor of State who is meticulous with facts, as many public officials’ careers hang in the
balance of your findings. Half-truths won’t cut it, and politically motivated attacks from government officials
are exactly what true Tea Party believers want to see stopped.

You owe it to your colleagues to set the record straight, and I sincerely hope that you do. Further, you owe the
public the respect they deserve in telling them the truth when you send news releases and other
communications.

Regardless of the office any candidate might seek, the best way to judge a candidate’s ability to serve is a
simple “truth test.” It is clear that your candidacy is failing this most basic test.

For the sake of integrity and self-decency, and out of respect for the office you now seek, I urge you to set
right any inaccuracies your campaign has promulgated. Please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions.

Gary Cates
Ohio Senator, 4th District

Not Paid for at Taxpayer Expense