Lorain Seal Flyer Sparks Ethics Probe for Garcia

By Aaron Knapp Staff Writer

Lorain, OH – Rita Garcia officially announced her candidacy for the 2nd Ward Councilwoman seat in the City of Lorain. This announcement comes as a campaign flyer, which reportedly utilized the city’s official seal, has drawn scrutiny. Second Ward Councilwoman Victoria Kempton referred the matter to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Election Committee.

In a statement provided to the Lorain Daily, Rita Garcia said, “I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the 2nd ward of my beautiful city of Lorain!”

Garcia’s announcement followed the public endorsement of her candidacy by Councilwoman Mary Springowski. Springowski shared the flyer in question on social media. She praised Garcia as a homeowner, a successful businesswoman, and someone who possesses the understanding necessary to progress the 2nd ward and downtown Lorain. In her Facebook post, Springowski stated, “I proudly support my friend, Rita Garcia. As a homeowner in the 2nd ward with a successful business, she will bring valuable experience to a vital business district in our city. She understands what the 2nd ward and our downtown area need to move forward. I look forward to her service to our city. The 2nd ward needs an active, available, and accessible council representative!”

However, Councilwoman Victoria Kempton has taken action regarding the campaign flyer for Garcia. This flyer reportedly uses the City of Lorain’s official seal. The flyer features a photograph of Rita Garcia on the left side. The words “RITA GARCIA” and “DEMOCRAT” are prominently displayed. Additionally, the flyer includes the text “LORAIN BIRTHPLACE OF ADMIRAL ERNEST J. KING COMMANDER IN CHIEF U.S. FLEET WORLD WAR II 1834,” highlighting a historical connection for the city. In the bottom left corner of the flyer, the official Seal of the City of Lorain is clearly visible. Kempton confirmed in a phone interview with the Lorain Daily that she referred the flyer to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Election Committee for review. She raised potential legal questions about the use of the city seal in campaign materials. During the interview, Kempton stated, “She sent the documents [Garcia Campaign Flyer using the city seal] to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Election Committee.”

Generally, Ohio law restricts the use of city seals for commercial purposes or reproduction without authorization. These seals are typically reserved for official city business. The design of a city seal is considered the property of the city and typically cannot be reproduced or used for political campaign materials or merchandise for sale without explicit authorization. Furthermore, Councilwoman Kempton noted that she has legally used the city seal for her own official town hall announcements in the past. This highlights the distinction between official use and campaign use.

Rita Garcia, self-employed as an owner/president, also has a background as a disability facilitator at Head Start. As a graduate of Lorain Admiral King High School and Lorain County Community College, Garcia has been a member and supporter of the Mexican Mutual Society (MMS) for over 20 years.

Despite requests for comment, The Lorain Daily reached out to Rita Garcia and Councilwoman Mary Springowski earlier today regarding the candidacy and the questions surrounding the campaign flyer. As of the latest update at 8:42 AM, Councilwoman Springowski has not responded to the request, and Rita Garcia has still not provided any statement or comment on the matter.

Because Councilwoman Kempton decided to involve state authorities, it underscores the seriousness of the potential violation. The Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Election Committee will now likely review the matter to determine if any ethics rules or election laws have been breached.

This unfolding situation highlights the complexities and regulations involved in political campaigns, particularly concerning the use of official government symbols. Consequently, the outcome of the state inquiries could set a precedent for future campaigns in Lorain.

The Lorain Daily will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available. Sources and related content

Update – Sunday, March 30, 2025: Following the initial report on Rita Garcia’s campaign flyer, further context has emerged through community feedback and ongoing discussion regarding the regulations surrounding the use of the City of Lorain’s official seal. This update provides additional information on this important aspect of the story.

The scrutiny surrounding Rita Garcia’s campaign flyer highlights the often-strict regulations governing the use of official government seals in political campaigns. City seals, as symbols of municipal authority, are generally considered the property of the city and are intended for official government business.

Using a city seal on campaign materials can create the impression of official endorsement by the city, even if no such endorsement exists. This is why many jurisdictions have laws or ordinances in place to control the reproduction and use of these symbols. Unauthorized use can lead to legal challenges and ethical concerns, as it blurs the line between a political campaign and the official functions of the city government.

The specific rules regarding the use of the Lorain City Seal would likely be outlined in city ordinances or potentially in state election laws. These regulations typically aim to prevent the misuse or misrepresentation of official symbols for political or commercial gain. The referral of the Garcia campaign flyer to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Election Committee indicates that Councilwoman Kempton and potentially others believe a violation of these rules may have occurred.

Even if a city seal’s design is based on historical elements or has been used in community contexts in the past, its official status as a symbol of the city government typically carries legal weight that restricts its use in political campaigns without explicit permission from the relevant city authorities. The ongoing review by state authorities will likely focus on whether such permission was granted in this case and whether the use of the seal on the flyer potentially violates any applicable regulations.