30TH DISTRICT Two candidates bring House experience to state Senate race

Area GOP officials are expected to pick another nominee to run in the fall.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- A current and former state representative are squaring off in the Democratic primary for the Ohio Senate's 30th District seat being vacated by Greg DiDonato, who's being pushed out by term limits.
Jerry Krupinski, 62, of Steubenville, served seven two-year terms in the Ohio House before term limits required him to exit in 2000.
His opponent is state Rep. Charles Wilson, 61, of St. Clairsville. The 96th District representative has served four terms and is being forced out by term limits.
Wilson said his time in the Ohio House has prepared him for a move to the Senate.
While in the House, he has held leadership positions as minority whip and assistant minority leader.
Wilson has regularly conducted town meetings, which he said helps keep him in touch with his constituents.
Big issues
Job creation and retention are the major issues facing the 30th Senate District, which encompasses Columbiana, Belmont, Harrison and Jefferson counties, and part of Tuscarawas County.
Wilson is proposing that the state fund worker training and give businesses incentives to expand their enterprises and start new ones -- within the state.
Krupinski sees school funding as a major issue in the race.
He is proposing a measure to dedicate to school funding a percentage of revenue from the state's sales, income and corporate franchise taxes.
Krupinski said it's important to bring his 14 years of experience to the Senate to help counteract a negative influence by special interests, who, he said, are taking advantage of inexperienced lawmakers.
Still on ballot
Lawrence Stacey II of Columbiana is the sole Republican to have filed for the primary.
Stacey later withdrew, saying the responsibilities of his law practice would interfere with his serving in the Senate.
But John Payne, Columbiana County elections director, said Stacey's withdrawal was not made in time, so Stacey's name will remain on the ballot.
Stacey must file a new withdrawal notice with the elections board after the primary, Payne said.
If he does, Republican party leaders in each of the five counties represented in the district will be permitted to gather and name someone to appear in Stacey's place on the fall ballot, Payne said.