OHIO HOUSE Boccieri sets sights on leadership post

The current assistant minority whip will leave the position next month.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
COLUMBUS -- State Rep. John Boccieri is considering seeking a leadership position in the Ohio House, which local legislators say will give the Mahoning Valley increased influence at the state level.
Boccieri, a New Middletown Democrat, said he will most likely run for assistant minority whip, the No. 4 position for Democrats in the House. The job's primary responsibilities are to persuade Democratic House members to support the party's position on votes and to help formulate those positions.
"I'm looking at it very closely," Boccieri said. "It would be beneficial to the Valley if we had someone in the leadership. It's something the senior members of the Valley caucus are discussing."
A spot in the Democratic House leadership opened when Minority Leader Dean E. DePiero of Parma announced Tuesday that he would not seek re-election to the position after his term expires next month and would concentrate on running for mayor of his hometown.
If elected, Boccieri would become the first person from the Mahoning Valley to have a state Legislature leadership position since the 1980s, when Harry Meshel, a Youngstown Democrat, served as Senate president and minority leader.
Discussions
Boccieri said he has been approached by state Reps. Erin Sullivan of Strongsville and Mary Rose Oaker of Cleveland, a former congresswoman, urging him to run for a leadership position.
Also, Boccieri said he has had numerous discussions with state Reps. Sylvester D. Patton Jr. of Youngstown and Kenneth A. Carano of Austintown about working to enhance the Valley's status in the Legislature.
"We're tired of having our message play second fiddle to Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati," Boccieri said.
After last week's election, Democrats lost three seats in the state House.
Beginning next year, Republicans will have 62 seats compared with 37 for Democrats. Six of those Democrats will represent the Mahoning Valley, giving this area a stronger voice among Democrats in the House.
Also, Boccieri said Patton is very influential with the 16-member Black Democratic Caucus and is working to line up support for him.
"We feel very strongly that we're in a position to dictate some things," Carano said. "The Valley caucus is looking to put John in a leadership position. We have strong influential ties with Summit and Portage county legislators."
A vote on who will lead the Democrats in the state House next year will be held in early December.
DiDonato's support
Boccieri said Senate Minority Leader Greg DiDonato of Dennison, who represents Columbiana County, also is behind his effort to get into the House leadership.
Boccieri used to work for DiDonato before he was elected in 2000 to the House.
The top contenders to replace DePiero as minority leader are Assistant Minority Leader Charlie A. Wilson Jr. of St. Clairsville and state Rep. Chris Redfern of Port Clinton, ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
XCONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Ortega, Vindicator Columbus correspondent.