YOUNGSTOWN COUNCIL Recount puts Fortune in race for president

The challenger won by 25 votes in the final tally.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A recount made it official today: James E. Fortune Sr. is the Democratic nominee for Youngstown council president.
The recount added 1 vote for council President John R. Swierz, who lost by 25 votes to Fortune, the 6th Ward councilman, in the final tally. The official result is Fortune with 4,019 votes to 3,994 for Swierz, a margin of victory of 0.32 percent.
Donald McTigue, Swierz's attorney, said he will review some documentation related to the election today and should have a decision shortly on whether a legal appeal will be made.
But Swierz officially congratulated Fortune on the victory moments after the results were certified by the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
"I'm satisfied with the process that took place," Swierz said. "Naturally, I'm disappointed in the outcome."
Swierz hinted at a 2005 mayoral bid, saying that he would look at future political opportunities and that he shouldn't be ruled out for any race.
How board ruled
McTigue wanted the elections board to disqualify six provisional ballots cast at the polls -- five of which voted for Fortune -- because none filled out applications to vote provisionally. But the board ruled that the six filled out change-of-address forms at the polls and were legitimate voters.
Also, the board didn't agree with a protest from McTigue to disqualify a handicapped voter who voted provisionally at the elections board office rather than at his precinct.
"We interpret the statute liberally to allow voters to vote," said Michael V. Sciortino, elections board director.
Fortune will face Republican Tracey S. Monroe-Winbush in the Nov. 4 general election.
Now that the recount is done, Fortune said he will turn his attention toward the general election. Fortune and Swierz have had a chilly relationship since the beginning of 2002, but Fortune said he hopes the outgoing council president will support him.
Swierz filed a police report in February 2002 accusing Fortune of threatening harm and wanting to fight him, an accusation denied by Fortune.
Also, Fortune was going to assume the position of council president around that time after a vacancy occurred. But Swierz pointed out that Democratic precinct committee members were supposed to select a replacement and not city council. Fortune didn't seek that appointment, which went to Swierz in March 2002.
skolnick@vindy.com