COLUMBUS, Ohio--Senate Majority Leader Tom Patton, now running for the Ohio House, suggested in a radio interview that his primary opponent Jennifer Herold shouldn't be running for office because she is a young mother. 
 
 "The gal that's running against me is a 30-year-old, you know, mom, mother of two infants," said Patton, a 62-year-old Republican from Strongsville, in a recent radio interview . "And I don't know if anybody explained to her we've got to spend three nights a week in Columbus. So, how does that work out for you? I waited until I was 48 and my kids were raised, and at least adults, before we took the opportunity to try." 
 
 Patton referred to Herold as a "young gal" and, while talking about his role in bringing additional school funding to his area, said, "I want to tell her, 'Hey Sweetie, I just got 27 percent of the pie in just my district, which is nine times what should have been done.'" 
 
 In a release, Herold -- who has two sons, ages 1 and 3 -- said Patton's remarks were "insulting and discriminatory," noting that politicians such as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, and state Rep. Christina Hagan have all served in office while raising a family. On Wednesday, Hagan brought her one-month-old baby while testifying before a Senate committee that Patton serves on. 
 
 Ohio Sen. Tom Patton's comments about rival are 'not sexist or out of line,' Cuyahoga GOP chair says 
 
 "In a district that is composed of over 50 percent women, with many parents who successfully balance demanding jobs as well as a family, there is no place for this kind of anti-working parent mentality," she said in a statement, questioning whether Patton would have made the same statement about young fathers in the legislature. 
 
 Herold, who is married, added: "Only one man in my life is allowed to call me 'sweetie.'" 
 
 In a statement, Patton said his comments "appear to have been misunderstood." 
 
 "As a widower who raised five daughters, it was not my intention to suggest that a young mother couldn't serve ably in the legislature," he said. "I used a poor choice of words to express what I know first-hand - raising young children and working is tough. Millions of women do just that every day, including my own daughters. I would ask to be judged on my hard work and advocacy for working families. I sincerely apologize if my words were misplaced on this matter." 
 
 The winner of the House District 7 GOP primary on March 15 will face Democrat David Thurau, a former Berea School Board member, in November. 
 
 Patton made the remarks Jan. 18 on the "America's Work Force" radio show, broadcast on WERE 1490 AM. His comments about Herold being a young mother start around the 32:00 mark. His "sweetie" remark is at 38:40. ||||| Today, Jennifer Herold, Candidate for The Ohio House of Representatives-7th District, issued a statement regarding Tom Patton’s insulting and discriminatory comments made on “America’s Workforce Radio” on January 18th. 
 
 “On January 18th, Mr. Patton appeared on a local radio show and attempted to disqualify me as a candidate due to the fact that I am the mother of 2 children when he made the following comment: 
 
 ‘The gal that’s running against me is a 30 year old, you know, mom, mother of 2 infants. And you know, I don’t know if anyone explained to her you have to spend 3 nights a week in Columbus. So, how does that work out for you? Umm, I waited until I was 48 til my kids were raised, and at least adults, before we took the opportunity to try.’ 
 
 He questioned my intelligence, insinuating I was not aware of the requirements of the State Representative Position. Mr. Patton also specifically implied that I am precluded from running for office until my kids were adults. 
 
 The decision to run for State Representative is one that my family and I took very seriously when we made it. We realize the sacrifice that is involved in holding such a position. 
 
 However, Tom Patton has crossed a line by trying to turn the fact that I am a mother of two children, into a negative campaign issue. It’s insulting for my opponent to suggest that “motherhood” is a liability. In fact, my experience as a Mom is perhaps my greatest strength. 
 
 There are numerous examples of women with children who have admirably served our nation. Sarah Palin was on the Presidential ticket in 2008. At the time she had 5 non adult children, including a newborn. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the 4th highest ranking member of the Republican Leadership in the in the US House of Representatives, and has had two children while in office. Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor has two sons she has raised while serving in her current role, as well as during her time in the Ohio House and as State Auditor. Ohio House Representative Christina Hagan just welcomed her daughter last December and is now back serving her constituents. 
 
 I would also be remiss if I did not recognize the men who also serve while they have children at home. For example, our own Governor John Kasich has two teenage daughters. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s three children have all been born while he has been in Congress. He commutes weekly between Washington D.C. and his home in Janesville, Wisconsin. 
 
 So I ask Mr.Patton, by your logic, are you saying that 2 Vice Presidential nominees, the highest ranking woman in The House Leadership Team, our sitting Governor and Lieutenant Governor and a colleague in the Ohio Legislature are all unfit to serve? Further, are your colleagues in the Ohio Legislature, the majority whom have had young children while serving, aware of your views? Do you draw a distinction between whether that representative is a mother or a father who is serving? 
 
 I call on The Cuyahoga County Republican Party, The Ohio Republican Party, and any other organizations endorsing a candidate in this race to seriously consider whether Tom Patton’s comments reflect your own values. By choosing to my support my opponent, you are tacitly endorsing his beliefs regarding the inability of parents of children to also serve in the legislature. In a district that is composed of over 50% women, with many parents who successfully balance demanding jobs as well as a family, there is no place for this kind of anti-working parent mentality. 
 
 And once last thing, Tom, only one man in my life is allowed to call me “sweetie.” From now on, I respectfully ask you to refer to me as Jen, Jennifer, Ms. Herold, or your opponent.” 
 
 Ms. Herold encourages those who denounce Tom Patton’s comments to make their voices heard by signing our petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ISupportJen. In addition, they may tweet support using the Hashtag #ISupportJen. Follow Jen on Twitter @Herold4Ohio. 
 
 For more information, please visit our website at www.HeroldForOhio.com. For Media inquiries contact the campaign directly at 440-606-6623, or email to HeroldForOhio@GMail.com.
– Ohio state Sen. Tom Patton is a term-limited Republican who's now going after an Ohio House seat, and he's running against a real "sweetie." At least, that's what the 62-year-old called his chief Republican opponent in a radio interview last week, but it's a separate comment he made about Jennifer Herold that has drawn the most fire. In a Jan. 18 interview with Ed Ferenc on the America's Work Force radio show, he questioned why Herold is running while being a young mother, reports the Columbus Dispatch. "The gal that's running against me is a 30-year-old, you know, mom, mother of 2 infants," he said. "I don't know if anybody explained to her you have to spend three nights a week in Columbus. So, how does that work out for you? I waited until I was 48, 'til my kids were raised, and at least adults." Herold, who has 1-year-old and 3-year-old sons, took to Facebook with a lengthy response in which she asked whether the current legislators with children, mothers and fathers alike, are "all unfit to serve." She added: "Tom, only one man in my life is allowed to call me 'sweetie.' From now on, I respectfully ask you to refer to me as Jen, Jennifer, Ms. Herold, or your opponent." Cleveland.com reports Patton has followed up with his own statement in which he "sincerely" apologizes and says his comments were "misunderstood." He notes that "millions of women" balance work and family every day, including his own daughters: "I used a poor choice of words to express what I know first-hand—raising young children and working is tough." The two will face off in the March 15 GOP primary.