17TH DISTRICT 3 candidates seek party endorsement

The Akron congressman will not seek the Trumbull Democratic endorsement.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
WARREN -- Only three of the seven Democratic candidates running for the 17th Congressional District seat will seek the endorsement today of the Trumbull County Democratic Party.
The three seeking the endorsement all live in Trumbull County -- state Rep. Anthony A. Latell Jr. of Girard, state Sen. Timothy J. Ryan of Niles and Maridee Costanzo, a Warren attorney.
U.S. Rep. Thomas C. Sawyer of Akron said Monday that he would vie for the Trumbull Democratic endorsement even though he did not believe he had much of a chance of obtaining it. Sawyer, an eight-year incumbent, had said congressional responsibilities would keep him from attending today's endorsement meeting, but that he would send a representative and a letter to the meeting.
Trumbull Democratic Chairman Nicholas Melfi said he received word Wednesday from Dan Lucas, Sawyer's chief of staff, that the congressman appreciated the opportunity to attend, but that neither he nor a representative would be there.
Not competing: The three other candidates in the race -- Bryan Taafe of Austintown, Randy D. Walter of Canfield and Joe Louis Teague of Youngstown -- are not competing for the endorsement.
The 284-member Trumbull Democratic central committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. today to endorse a candidate. Latell, who is being backed by Melfi, is the favorite to win the endorsement.
Trumbull has the largest number of residents in the new 17th Congressional District, making up 34 percent of the district's population. The district also includes portions of Mahoning, Portage and Summit counties. Democratic parties in those three counties do not endorse candidates.
Also at tonight's meeting, the Trumbull Democrats will endorse a candidate in the new 65th Ohio House District. The three candidates in that race -- Joseph Melfi of Girard, Barry Profato of Niles and Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles -- are seeking the Trumbull endorsement.
skolnick@vindy.com