A Columbus-area bank president supporting Republican state Sen. Frank LaRose for Ohio secretary of state apologized Thursday for saying in an e-mail that if Democrat Kathleen Clyde is elected, she may try to rig future elections.

Scott McComb, chief executive officer and president of Heartland Bank — who did not respond to a Dispatch request for comment Wednesday — said in a letter to the editor Thursday he regretted suggesting Democrats in Ohio and elsewhere were trying to win the top state elections posts so they can commit fraud.

"In a recent communication to a group of friends, I used strong and inappropriate language to describe the happenings in several Secretary of State races, details of which have previously been reported in the national news," McComb wrote in his letter to the editor.

"I sincerely regret the words I chose. These views are mine and mine alone and I hold myself accountable to both campaigns. ... It was not my intention to implicate his opponent, Kathleen Clyde, of any wrongdoing or to predict so if elected. My apologies to the candidates and voters in the state of Ohio."

The apology comes as some groups, such as the AFL-CIO, and individual Democrats issued a call to stop doing business with Heartland Bank.

In an email Tuesday urging his “closest friends” to support LaRose, McComb wrote, “The left is attempting a long-ball strategy to change the electorate."

“Nationally, the Democrats are focused on winning the Secretary of State posts in swing states so that they can have a DIRECT INFLUENCE on that state's 2020 Presidential Election. This is at a minimum an attack on our voting process and bordering criminal intent to 'fix' future elections.”

Clyde's campaign manager blasted the allegations, which were unsupported.

“Frank LaRose's wealthy donors want a secretary of state who will perpetuate the culture of corruption in Columbus, and that's why they're supporting him," Lauren Durham said. "But Kathleen Clyde's running to bring secure, fair and transparent elections to Ohio."

LaRose campaign officials, who were copied on the email, were less critical and directed questions to McComb, of Blacklick.

LaRose spokesman Grant Shaffer said "I will say this: Kathleen Clyde has been open about running for secretary of state because she believes the position can impact the presidential election. Ohioans don't want an activist for their next secretary of state, and they have reason to be concerned about her view of the office," Shaffer said.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, upheld an Ohio law that gives officials the power to remove voters from the rolls if they have not voted recently or responded to notices mailed by elections boards. Supporters, including LaRose, say the law ensures election integrity. Clyde and other critics argue that the practice can remove legal voters from the rolls.

ccandisky@dispatch.com

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