'02 CONGRESS RACE Leaders weigh Traficant's chances

The Mahoning Democratic chairman said the congressman is being selfish by insisting he'll run for re-election while under indictment.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite facing what typically would be considered the overwhelming obstacle of running for Congress while under indictment, the Democratic Party chairmen in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are not dismissing U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr.'s chances of being re-elected.
"He's hurt politically, but Traficant has been a hell of a vote-getter in the past," said Nick Melfi, Trumbull Democratic chairman. "I think his problems will weaken him a little bit. But he has a lot of support from Trumbull County Democrats."
Mahoning Chairman David Ditzler, who has criticized Traficant, said he would not call for the congressman to forgo a re-election bid if he still has criminal charges pending against him at the time of next year's Democratic primary. That doesn't mean, however, that Ditzler is going to support Traficant, of Poland, D-17th.
"It would make it easier for the Valley and us if he just walked away, but Jim's never made it easy for himself, and he won't for anyone else," Ditzler said. "My opinion is he's negative for the Valley. He's given the Valley a stigma, and it's hurt us as we try to move forward. In some respects, I think he's being selfish" by opting to seek re-election next year.
Redistricting factor: What must be taken into consideration is congressional redistricting and if that effort will delay next year's partisan primary, Melfi and Ditzler said.
The Republican-controlled state Legislature has an early February deadline to approve a congressional redistricting plan based on U.S. Census figures. The Legislature is leaning toward having most or all of Mahoning and Trumbull counties in one congressional district. The current Mahoning Valley congressional district includes Mahoning County, all but 300 people in Columbiana County, and all but the western portion of Trumbull County. Most Republican plans have most or all of Columbiana County in another district.
The redistricting plan could face court challenges, which could force the May 7 primary to be delayed by about a month as it was in 1991, the last time the state's congressional districts were realigned.
Timing of trial: That delay could prove to be the deciding factor in who runs for Congress from the Mahoning Valley because Traficant's trial is set to start Feb. 4, 17 days before the Democratic primary filing deadline, Ditzler said. Traficant's trial is expected to last at least four weeks. If the primary -- and thus the filing deadline for that election -- is pushed back a month, Traficant's case would probably be finished before Democratic candidates have to file, Ditzler said.
Traficant faces 10 felony counts including bribery, racketeering and tax evasion. Federal prosecutors said he peddled his influence in Congress to area businessmen in return for money, free meals and free labor and materials for his family farm and Washington, D.C., houseboat.
If Traficant is acquitted, he should have smooth sailing toward winning a 10th congressional term, Ditzler said.
But if Traficant is found guilty of any of the charges, the field to replace him is wide open, Melfi and Ditzler said.
Expressing an interest: Ditzler and Melfi said they have been approached by a number of people interested in running for Congress next year.
They are: state Sen. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-33rd, who lost the 2000 Democratic primary to Traficant; state Rep. Anthony A. Latell Jr. of Girard, D-67th; former state Rep. Michael Verich of Warren; and Mahoning County Recorder Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown. Also, Ditzler said he has had preliminary conversations about the position with Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon, and Melfi said state Sen. Timothy Ryan of Warren, D-32nd, has spoken to some Trumbull Democrats about a bid.
"Is he wounded enough with everything involving the case in Cleveland?" Melfi said of Traficant. "I think he would have a problem getting re-elected. I'm not saying he wouldn't get re-elected, but I don't think so."
Endorsements: Mahoning Democratic officials had talked of reviving a policy of endorsing candidates in primary elections, but the proposal has gone nowhere. Trumbull Democrats endorse candidates during primary races and will meet about 30 to 40 days after the filing deadline to vote on endorsements in various races including Congress, Melfi said.
Attempts to reach Columbiana Democratic Chairman Dennis Johnson, a Traficant staffer, were unsuccessful.
skolnick@vindy.com