In what can only be described as an rare public fight, Franklin County's Democratic chair Bill Anthony went public with his dismay over Ohio Democratic Party chair Chris Redfern's endorsement in House Democrats' race for leader.

Redfern endorsed state Rep. Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) to replace state Rep. Joyce Beatty as his party's leader in the House. Redfern, who will be leaving the House next year due to term limits, has caused a row inside the Democratic Party. 

Anthony said in a statement that Redfern's hand-pickd choice for House leader in 2006, state Rep. Todd Book (D-Portsmouth) was wrong then and so is his pick this year.

"These are the same people that got the leadership vote wrong two years ago and they are wrong today," Anthony said. "We are still four seats away from winning the majority and we need a united party to win as many seats as possible. The Republicans will not go quietly.”

Anthony said Redfern should not involve himself in the leadership race.

"I think it is in the best interest of the Democratic Party to have those Representatives elected in November make the leadership decision for the House caucus," he said.