Tom Ganley

Tom Ganley oversaw what had become the largest automotive group in Ohio, comprising 32 dealerships and employing over 1,000 people.[5] Ganley had expanded his dealership holdings into Summit and Stark counties and established the Ganley name in Greater Columbus with the opening of a Mitsubishi dealership. Under his leadership, the company continued to grow to include Chevrolet, Ford, and Chrysler as well as imports such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda and BMW.[4]

In 2005, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro took legal action against one of Ganley's dealerships, Ganley Ford West of Cleveland, for allegedly deceptive and unfair business practices in its advertising. Two days after Hurricane Katrina, the dealership had advertised special deals on cars moved out of Louisiana. After complaints from the Better Business Bureau, Petro initiated an investigation and found that Ganley had not received any cars from Louisiana.[6]

Ganley had been sued more than 400 times in connection with his auto dealerships for complaints including age discrimination, gender discrimination and deceptive business practices.[7][8][9] In April 2011, Ganley agreed to pay $300,000 to current and former black employees to settle a 2007 racial discrimination case.[10]

Ganley had extended his business interests to include one of the largest independently owned auto financing companies in the nation as well as an insurance company. He also sat on the Board of Directors of Independence Bank.

Ganley formally announced his candidacy for the United States Senate (Ohio) on July 1, 2009. In making his announcement Ganley stated "I am a businessman, not someone who ever thought about being a professional politician, but maybe that's what's needed in Washington now–someone who understands financial responsibility and what it takes for a business and a country to be competitive. Someone who has built a business from scratch. Someone who knows how to create jobs. Someone who has met a payroll and knows his employees are dependent on him."[11]

Ganley had talked openly earlier that year of his desire to enter the race for the United States Senate in order to give Ohio voters a clear choice.[12]

Although Ganley had never served in elected office, he believed that he could win the Senate seat being vacated by George V. Voinovich.[13] Ganley said "I have a great passion to see this through to a conclusion, to a victory." Ganley, because of his involvement in the business community in Ohio, had name recognition in northern Ohio. He said that America needs businessmen in Washington, D.C., and that he believed the time of the career politician may be ending.[13]

On February 18, 2010, Ganley abruptly made the decision to end his bid for the Republican nomination for the US Senate.[14]

After ending his race for the US Senate and instead devoted his energy to running for the US House of Representatives, in the 13th District of Ohio against incumbent Democrat Betty Sutton. Ganley filed a petition with the Summit County elections board to run for the House seat, immediately making the contest a toss-up.[15]

On July 13, 2010, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced that Tom Ganley had advanced to the top level of the Young Guns Program of the NRCC, despite being 67 years old. According to the NRCC "Ganley has proven his ability to build a winning campaign and achieve substantial fundraising goals."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched attacks against Ganley, accusing him of being a dishonest car salesman[9] attempting to buy his way into Congress.[16] Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association President Stephen Loomis responded to that charge by pointing out that Ganley is a major supporter of police charities and regularly donates his private plane to bring out-of-town family members to the funerals or bedsides of fallen local police officers. Loomis was quoted as saying "Don't let them beat him up too badly about having a corporate airplane because he uses it selflessly. It is unfair if they are trying to portray him as some kind of corporate, egomaniac, big money guy."[16]

Ganley easily won the Republican primary on May 4, 2010.[17] Shortly before the primary, Ganley received the endorsement of Ohio's Morning Journal newspaper.[18]

Ganley also received the endorsement of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.[19]

Sutton defeated Ganley 60.3% to 39.6% in the November 2, 2010, general election.[20]

Ganley served as the spokesperson for "Buckle-Up Cleveland," an automotive safety initiative, sponsored by the Cleveland Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. In May 2001, he was named president and CEO of Crime Stoppers of Northern Ohio. This organization, funded in part by Mr. Ganley as well as private donations, offers cash rewards for crime tipsters.[33]

Ganley was named "Man of the Year" by the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association for his leadership and outstanding support of law enforcement in the Cleveland area. Other special recognition awards were received from the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate for outstanding accomplishment, the "Gold & Silver Award" from the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Community and the honor of being the Cleveland Police Historical Society's Man of the Year. Tom also received the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award from an FBI alumni society in 2007.[5]

Ganley remained active in the business community. He represented metropolitan Cleveland's franchised new car dealers on the National Automobile Dealers Association. He served on the Association's Regulation Affairs Committee and as Mercedes-Benz Chairman of the Industry Relations Committee. Previously, he had served on the Government Relations Committee.[33]