17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT Candidates hold first public forum
Two candidates noted that four universities are now located in the 17th District; another called for free college tuition.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
KENT -- Three of the four candidates vying for the 17th Congressional District seat discussed the issues today in what they say will be the first of many public forums leading up to the November general election.
Democrat Timothy J. Ryan of Niles, Republican Ann Womer Benjamin of Aurora and Warren Davis of Bay Village, an independent candidate, discussed their views on higher education, economic development, taxes and campaign finance reform at a forum at Kent State University, sponsored by the Greater Akron Chamber and the Portage County Chamber.
Absent from the event was U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, an independent candidate who in recent years has limited appearances at candidate forums.
The three other candidates said they would have liked to have Traficant, a felon convicted of racketeering and bribery charges, participate in events such as this, but it is his choice whether he appears.
Davis called for at least 15 New England-style town hall meetings between the candidates, something Ryan and Womer Benjamin said they would support if the events could be scheduled.
Great opportunity
Each candidate said the new 17th District -- which includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties -- provides a unique opportunity for Northeast Ohio.
"When we were doing the redistricting in Columbus, and I saw the new congressional lines, I'd be lying if I didn't say my eyes lit up," said Ryan, a state senator.
"This is the greatest opportunity for Northeast Ohio in a long time," he said, pointing to the inclusion of four universities and two regional airports in the new 17th.
Womer Benjamin, a state representative, said the grouping of the universities in one congressional district is the focal point of her economic development plan for the area.
She wants the schools to form a consortium with the business community to attract high-technology jobs to the area by combining resources to improve job training and retraining as well as research and development.
"I know I'm a different candidate for the district, but after years of struggling, we need a different candidate," she said.
Davis, a former longtime United Auto Workers regional director, listed a number of government-funded initiatives he would work for if elected to Congress.
Davis proposed a universal health care system with no co-payments or premiums, a job initiative to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, money for public schools and free college tuition for everyone.
"I know a lot things I've spelled out cost a lot of money," he said. "It will take a reprioritization of our resources."
Higher education
Regarding higher education, Ryan and Davis said more money needs to be invested in it to ensure the nation's economic future.
Womer Benjamin said she has been a longtime supporter of higher education and it is the centerpiece of her economic development plan.
The three agreed that campaign finance laws need to be reformed.
Davis said he is refusing any political action committee money.
Womer Benjamin said she introduced an Ohio House bill calling for more disclosure of contributions to political campaigns.
Ryan, who was criticized during the primary for how he handled his campaign finances, said he doesn't like the amount of money in politics and something has to change.
"It's completely corrupted the system," Ryan said. "The big corporations who give the money get what they want. It's scary to go up against someone with $1 million, $500,000 or $250,000 when you've got $15 spaghetti fund-raisers in Niles, Ohio."
skolnick@vindy.com