MAHONING VALLEY Cafaro's donation tops list in '02 races

The most expensive Mahoning County races were for judicial seats.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- J.J. Cafaro, once one of the most prominent political donors in the Mahoning Valley, is apparently back in the local political mix.
Cafaro, of Hubbard, vice president of the Cafaro property development company, contributed $5,000 to the campaign of Jeffrey J. Groat, according to post-general-election campaign reports filed Friday with the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
It is the largest political contribution given by an individual to any candidate running in last month's election, according to campaign reports at the board.
Groat lost an election bid last month as the Republican nominee for Mahoning County commissioner.
Traficant case
Cafaro has shied away from political contributions since being charged and subsequently convicted with giving an improper gratuity to former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. Cafaro was sentenced last month to 15 months' probation by a federal judge.
Since pleading guilty to the charge in May 2001, Cafaro has limited his political contributions. He gave $200 to state Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr., a Youngstown Democrat, during his primary race earlier this year, and gave $360 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee in July.
In previous years, Cafaro would give thousands of dollars in political contributions to local, state and national politicians and parties.
The $5,000 contribution to Groat made up about 70 percent of the money the commissioner candidate raised in his failed attempt to defeat Democrat David Ludt for the post, according to his financial report.
Even with Cafaro's contribution, Ludt raised about four times the amount of money Groat raised and beat him 70 percent to 30 percent.
Groat said Cafaro is a longtime friend, and he asked the businessman to help his campaign.
"I explained my philosophies and beliefs to J.J., and I appreciate the fact that J.J. believes in me," Groat said. "I appreciate his contribution. I've known the Cafaro family for years. The entire family has done a lot for Mahoning County and the Valley in terms of national recognition."
Judicial races
The most expensive local races in Mahoning County were for judicial seats.
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of common pleas court raised more than $110,000 total, compared to about $35,000 for James Callen, his defeated opponent.
Probate Court Judge Timothy P. Maloney raised about $57,000 in his successful re-election bid compared to $78,000 for Maureen Sweeney, his challenger. Of the money Sweeney raised, about $65,000 came from loans she and her husband gave to the campaign.
In the three-way race for a seat on the county court bench, Diane Vettori, who won the race, spent the most, about $43,000. But about $34,000 of it came from loans she gave her campaign.
Michael Dockry, who finished in second place, raised about $25,000, with no loans.
Loren Popio, the incumbent who lost the race, raised $24,000 toward the campaign, with $11,000 coming from a loan he gave to the effort.
Among the more interesting donors to a Valley candidate was TV talk-show host Jerry Springer, a former Cincinnati mayor interested in returning to Ohio politics. Springer gave $2,500 to state Sen. Robert F. Hagan, a Youngstown Democrat. Earlier this year, Springer contributed money to two state representatives from the Valley: Dan Sferra, a Warren Democrat, and Kenneth A. Carano, an Austintown Democrat.
skolnick@vindy.com