Ginther and Hardin Scrutinized Over City-Funded Security at Campaign Events

Mayor Andrew Ginther and Council President Shannon Hardin, who are both vying for the mayoral position, have found themselves in the spotlight due to the use of city-funded security services during their campaign events. Recent reports indicate that the Columbus Public Safety's Executive Protection Unit has been providing extensive overtime services, totaling around 3,500 hours over the past year.

The Columbus City Council is currently examining the issue of police overtime, which has seen the Columbus Police Department utilize 85% of its annual budget by mid-year. This financial pressure is particularly acute given that the mayor's security detail alone accounted for more than 2,100 overtime hours, while the City Council detail clocked in over 1,100 hours.

Council President Shannon Hardin's office reported a notable reduction in the council detail's overtime this fall, almost halving the amount compared to the previous year. Despite this, Hardin's campaign made a payment of $1,050 for security at an event held in August 2023.

Assistant Director Glenn McEntyre of Public Safety explained that security for elected officials encompasses all aspects of their public and private life. Furthermore, he stated that the presence of security personnel at campaign events does not automatically imply the use of city resources for campaign purposes. The allocation of security is primarily based on the responsibilities and security concerns associated with holding public office, rather than the specific type of event.

These developments highlight the complex interplay between the personal and professional lives of elected officials and the resources dedicated to ensuring their safety. As the mayoral race intensifies, the public will be closely observing how these security arrangements unfold.

What we know

• Mayor Andrew Ginther and Council President Shannon Hardin are running for mayor. ¹²
• Columbus Public Safety's Executive Protection Unit provided approximately 3,500 overtime hours of service over about a year. ¹²
• The Columbus City Council is holding hearings on police overtime. ¹²
• Columbus Police Department had spent 85% of its annual overtime budget by June 30. ¹²
• The mayor's detail logged more than 2,100 overtime hours. ¹²
• The City Council detail logged more than 1,100 overtime hours. ¹²
• Hardin's office reported a decrease of nearly half in the council detail's overtime this fall compared to last fall. ¹²
• Hardin's campaign paid $1,050 for event security at an event in August 2023. ¹²
• Security for elected officials extends to all aspects of their public and personal activities. ¹
• The presence of security personnel at a campaign event does not, in itself, constitute the use of City resources for campaign purposes. ¹
• Security provided by the Executive Protection Unit is based on the responsibilities and security concerns of holding public office, not the type of event. ²