COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state’s largest teachers union and the Ohio Republican Party have gone to court over a GOP request for the names and addresses of all educators.
 

A Franklin County judge is expected to hear arguments later this month over whether to extend a temporary restraining order stopping the release of the records.
 

Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine says the party wants the names to let Ohio teachers know where Republican candidates stand on education issues.
 

“We’re no longer going to allow the leadership of the OEA to spread lies and attacks without an appropriate response,” DeWine said.
 

DeWine is also seeking e-mails or other records to determine how the union learned of the records request to the Ohio Department of Education.
 

The state has also given the group information from other databases, including those for veterans, farmers, fishermen and hunters, DeWine said.
 

The OEA says the request is a violation of teachers’ privacy and the information being requested is shielded under Ohio’s public records law.
 

“The protection of members’ personal information is of utmost importance,” said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks.
 

The case pits the OEA, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, against state Republicans trying to mount a comeback next year and regain the governor’s seat and legislative control.
 

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that state employees’ addresses could be kept private because they don’t document the decisions, policies, functions and activities of government.
 

 

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