Genocide and the Ohio Second

by Martha Heinemann Bixby

category: Armenian Genocide

Published July 02, 2009 @ 08:58PM PT

Genocide denial has become a big issue in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional seat.

David Krikorian, a "grandson of survivors of the Armenian Genocide" according to his candidate biography, is running against incumbent Jean Schmidt, co-chair of the House Turkish Caucus.

Last November, days before his first contest against Schmidt, Krikorian demanded in an open letter:

"her immediate withdrawal from this race and her apology to the people of the United States of America for the crime she has committed against our American soldiers and humanity by denying the undisputed facts of the Armenian Genocide."

Krikorian claimed that Schmidt, during House debate on US recognition of the Armenian genocide in 2007, said:

"The question comes to the definition of genocide and I don't think we are comfortable making that attribution at this time".

Krikorian told voters:

"The only deniers of this great tragedy which led to the Holocaust of the Jews by Nazi Germany are the Turkish Government and certain members of the United States Congress including Jean Schmidt [...] Jean Schmidt is a self-serving politician and an embarrassment to her district and to the United States of America.  The people of Ohio's second district will, if they elect her on November 4th, condone her denial of the Genocide of 1.5 million Christians.  And, in so doing, be guilty of a crime against humanity as the cover-up is just as bad as the crime."

Schmidt won that race with 45% of the vote.  Her Democratic opponent received 37%, and Krikorian, running as an Independent, received 17%. 

Now, nearly a year and a half before the November 2010 election Schmidt is suing Krikorian (now running as a Democrat) for his 2008 statements.

In May, the Ohio Election Commission ruled there was probable cause that Krikorian's statements violated election law.  Now, Krikorian has teamed with a high-power lawyer to mount his defense, and the trial is schedule for August 13.

And Schmidt is receiving her share of support.  Advertising a recent fundraiser, the Turkish American Political Action Committee noted:

During the last election period, since she did not agree with and fought against the Armenian "Genocide" claims in the Congress, slander campaigns were carried out against her by her competitor, Ohio candidate David Krikorian.  Jean Schmidt won the election and, with our support, sued David Krikorian for making false claims and insulting her and she urgently needs our financial support.

This will definitely be a race to watch.  If not for the implications for party control of the House, or which shade of purple Ohio might turn - it will at least be interesting to see how controversies surrounding a massive atrocity from nearly a century ago affect the outcome of a Congressional race in Ohio today.