Another Ohio Dems oppo drop: Husted staffer moonlighting as lobbyist

The Ohio Democratic Party’s opposition research Death Star is gearing up in earnest this week. Here’s the latest hit, dropped with Beltway rag NOTUS.

A top aide to Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio maintained a paid consulting relationship with an Ohio lobbying firm while serving as the senator’s senior adviser, according to a federal financial disclosure filing.

Sean Dunn, who has served as Husted’s senior adviser and counsel since February 2025, disclosed working as a consultant for Statehouse Impact Group — a Columbus-based government relations and lobbying firm.

The disclosure — part of Dunn’s certified personal financial report covering calendar year 2025 and submitted to Congress on May 14 — shows Dunn received $22,652 from the firm while he also worked in Husted’s office.

Yes, yes, I’m sure the guy was just providing “strategic advice” or “communications assistance” or “business development guidance” or some such, but put plainly, this is shady as hell.

This guy should not be working for Husted while maintaining any job with any lobbying or consulting firm, unless it’s a consulting firm working on Husted’s re-election and his specific services for them are Husted re-election related.

Set aside that it’s wrong, and possibly illegal. Husted is also running against Sherrod Brown, who is probably the most formidable progressive candidate in the country.

Knock it off, man.