The fall of Chris Redfern

green@oc-register.comThis week had been bad enough for state Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Catawba.In addition to resigning his Democratic Party chairmanship after Republicans dominated statewide races — and losing his seat in the Ohio House to Republican challenger Steve Kraus — a documentary was released Tuesday alleging Redfern used domineering tactics to keep Subodh Chandra from becoming the party's choice for Ohio Attorney General in 2006.In John Wellington Ennis' documentary "Pay 2 Play," Chandra alleges Redfern went so far as to destroy about $10,000 worth of the candidate's campaign literature, intended for distribution to constituents at political events.The 90-minute documentary uses the board game "Monopoly" to illustrate politics in the Buckeye State. It briefly touches on Chandra's 2006 campaign and notes how he faced opposition within the Democratic Party, namely because of his unconventional name.Chandra, now a practicing attorney in Cleveland, said he's unsure why he quickly became one of Redfern's political enemies, but it was quite clear to him Redfern had an ax to grind."Chris Redfern is one of the most mean-spirited and small-minded people that I have ever met in over 30 years of political involvement," Chandra said in an interview with the Register. "He would actively and gratuitously hurt people he perceived to be his enemies for no apparent rational reason. And that drove many Democrats who are interested in public service for the right reasons from being involved in the party."Redfern's alleged strategy in dealing with Chandra's political aspirations: Stop handing out his literature.People such as former Northwest Ohio coordinator Steve Chaffin were ordered to stop spreading Chandra's messages, according to both Chaffin and Chandra."(Democrats) were excited about (Chandra's) campaign," Chaffin said. "He seemed to appeal to a lot of young people. Shortly after, Redfern decided he was going to decide who the candidates were going to be. He told me and others we were not to pass out any literature from (Chandra)."Chandra ultimately lost in a primary to Marc Dann, who won the general election but eventually resigned in 2008 over a sex scandal.On Thursday, Redfern denied the allegations."It is a lie," Redfern said. "(Wellington Ennis) never sought a comment from me since I met him almost eight years ago. Any accusation that I damaged any literature is a lie."Chaffin served as coordinator for about 16 months. He said he stepped down because of Redfern's tactics."He didn't know the party," Chaffin said. "We had the party really strong. All Redfern did was build up his massive fiefdom of people, then dispose of them when they disagreed with him. We should learn a lesson from Redfern."Chandra said he's unsure just why Redfern allegedly had it out for him, but his ill feelings were on display again at the 2008 Ohio Democratic Party State Convention. He said Redfern withheld his evening floor credentials, which kept him from a luncheon that included now U.S. Senator Cory Booker and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.Redfern later refused to assist Chandra in obtaining a seat at the Convention on the night of candidate Barack Obama's speech, resulting in Chandra sitting on the ground in Redfern's plain sight."That's how petty he was," Chandra said. "When people are able to function and lead contended lives without his blessing, he can't deal with that. He's that immature."Chandra said there was another incident in 2008 where he had organized a party fundraiser with Gov. Ted Strickland, only to have Redfern cancel it, apparently because Chandra had organized it. The event was expected to rake in more than $100,000 for Redfern's Democratic Party.Redfern cost the party much more, Chandra said, when he inexplicably told one of the biggest donors at a party event to "shut up and sit down." The donor — Chandra asked that she remain anonymous — stopped writing checks after the alleged public humiliation.Chandra said he's not trying to kick Redfern while he's down; rather, he's hoping the party can learn from Redfern's mistakes."I bear him no ill will," Chandra said. "I think the party is very well-served (by Redfern resigning). Hopefully he will come to recognize how destructive his behavior was."Register file photo/ Chris Redfern