*blink*
The article actually contradicts the headline and lede.

.@robportman denies weeding out Dems from speech; Sandusky County GOP leader has taken responsibility for decision https://t.co/5OwvBxmWj0 pic.twitter.com/6sZJG61rlr

— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) February 24, 2017

Sen. Rob Portman denied claims that his office prevented Democrats from attending a political dinner where he spoke Wednesday.

Rather, Portman shifted the blame to Sandusky County Republican Chairman Justin Smith, who has taken responsibility for the decision and says he remains proud of it.

Portman said Friday a Dispatch story raising questions about his role in weeding out Democratic attendees from the GOP event was “false news.”

The Sandusky County Republican Party and its Seneca County counterpart co-hosted the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

Seneca County GOP Treasurer David Koehl reiterated Thursday that Portman’s office played an instrumental role in the decision to refund tickets bought by potential protesters. Koehl shared an email he sent to Portman staffers last week — well before the controversy arose — questioning their decision to deny entry to suspect ticket-buyers.

Additionally, Koehl stressed his friendship with some of Portman’s staffers and Sandusky County Republicans. He referred to the final decision to deny tickets as a joint one, enforced by the co-sponsors in conjunction with Portman’s office.