OHIO HOUSE Patton's mayoral hopes are point of contention

The Democratic challenger says he would serve a full term if elected.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- State Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr. makes no secret that he hopes he doesn't finish his next two-year term in the Ohio House, if he's re-elected.
That's because Patton, of Youngstown, D-60th, plans to run next year for Youngstown mayor.
While preparing for a mayoral bid, Patton is running for re-election to the Ohio House.
Patton is being challenged in the March 2 Democratic primary by Michael E. O'Hara of Youngstown. The winner of the Democratic primary faces Republican Nicolas Keller of Youngstown in the November general election.
If Patton wins the mayoral race, he would begin serving in January 2006. If elected to his fourth term in the Ohio House this year, his term there wouldn't expire until Dec. 31, 2006. That means Patton would resign a year before his state House term would end, and the House Democratic Caucus would replace him.
Facing term limits
But Patton said he wouldn't even consider running for Youngstown mayor if he were permitted to stay in the Ohio House. The state's term-limits law doesn't allow a legislator to serve more than four elected terms in a row in the Ohio House.
Patton was appointed to fill a vacancy in the House in 1997 and was first elected to the position in 1998.
Although Patton may be able to promise only one year in the Ohio House, he said he'd be able to accomplish much more than a newcomer to the Legislature could achieve in a full two-year term.
"As senior member, I'll be able to help this area through my experience, seniority and the relationships I've built with people on both sides of the aisle," Patton said. "I bring a lot to the table. I have a lot of respect in Columbus."
Patton also said he would retain his seats next year on two powerful committees: the House Finance and Appropriations Committee and the State Controlling Board.
Vowing full term
O'Hara said Democrats will have a clear choice when they vote in the March primary: They can choose someone who is committed to serving the full two-year term or someone who hopes not to do so.
"If I get elected, I won't be looking for another job," O'Hara said. "I won't use this as a stepping stone. He's been in there for seven years, and nothing's been done."
O'Hara, a Howland schoolteacher who unsuccessfully ran for this state House seat six years ago, said if elected, he would concentrate on recruiting companies to come to the Mahoning Valley, and reforming the state education funding system.
O'Hara also wants to reduce state spending, possibly through the merger of programs and services, and to reduce the cost of public utilities through bulk buying of power and other methods.
The 60th Ohio House District includes Youngstown, Campbell, Coitsville, Lowellville, Struthers, and nine precincts in Austintown.
Jerome F. McNally of Youngstown was a candidate in the Democratic primary for the seat but decided to quit the race Jan. 22 for personal reasons. His name will still appear on the ballot because the deadline to officially withdraw from the race was Jan. 12.
skolnick@vindy.com