Mary Jo Kilroy's (D-Columbus) campaign is largely financed by labor unions and that money has made her put unions over taxpayers in her role as Franklin County Commissioner, according to the campaign of Kilroy's Congressional opponent Steve Stivers (R-Columbus).

Stivers campaign manager Michael Hartley responded to Kilroy's attack earlier this morning that accused Stivers of being unduly influenced by oil interests because he took $9,500 in campaign contributions from Halliburton and ExxonMobil's PACs as well money from the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

Hartley said Kilroy's labor contributions have caused her to bilk taxpayers in her position as commissioner.

"Mary Jo Kilroy has already proven that she puts Big Labor first, ahead of the taxpayers. By awarding contracts to labor unions, she has cost the taxpayers over $250,000 thus far," Hartley said.

The reference is to Kilroy's vote in favor of a controversial contract for a more-expensive union contractor over a non-union contractor for the new Huntington ballpark. 

Hartley said Kilroy has received far more money from labor unions during this election cycle than Stivers has from oil companies.

"The fact is these contributions represent less than 1% of the total money Steve has raised. If Kilroy thinks that $9,500 would influence Steve, then what should voters think about the nearly $240,000 she is gotten from Big Labor in this cycle, more than 15% of her total raised; let alone the over $1 million dollars she has received over the last 3 years from Big Labor," Hartley said. 

Hartley also defended Stivers energy plan, which Kilroy's campaign attacked as benefiting oil companies instead of consumers.

“Steve has a comprehensive energy plan that focuses on new energy investment and development, while also allowing for safe domestic drilling and increased refinery capacity. It’s a plan that puts people first," Hartley said. 

UPDATE: The Kilroy campaign sent a press release in response to PolitickerOH.com's story earlier today, detailing contributions to Stivers from energy companies and energy-company employees totaling $51,000 during his time as House candidate and state representative.

"Stivers' attack is as off the mark as his "no-oil-company-left-behind" energy policy.  The fact is that during his career as a legislator, which followed his career as a paid bank lobbyist, he has collected $51,000 in contributions from oil and gas companies and now he's running on an agenda that would go over well in big oil boardroomsm," Bauman said. "Furthermore, her vote on the ballpark proves that Mary Jo isn't in anyone's pocket. Stivers is wrong on the facts when he continues to attack the work on the ballpark, which is on time and under budget."

ALSO on PolitickerOH.com:

• Stivers outraises Kilroy in 2Q fundraising
• Kilroy raises $370K in 2Q, $1.1M in cash