YOUNGSTOWN McNally exits primary for Ohio House seat

Two Democratic candidates remain in the race.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Former Youngstown Councilman Jerome F. McNally withdrew from the 60th Ohio House District's Democratic primary, citing personal reasons.
"My family needs are important and prevent me from seeking public office at this time," McNally wrote in a letter Thursday to the Mahoning County Board of Elections. "I find it both unfair to the voters and myself to be unable to put on a first-class campaign, informing the voters of all the important issues that face the 60th District of Ohio."
McNally's withdrawal leaves two Democrats in the March 2 primary -- state Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr. of Youngstown, who is seeking his fourth two-year term, and Michael E. O'Hara of Youngstown. Republican Nicolas Keller of Youngstown is running unopposed for his party's nomination to the seat.
McNally challenged Patton in the 2002 Democratic primary, losing 58 percent to 42 percent. McNally did virtually no campaigning for that seat two years ago, something he acknowledges.
"I just didn't have the time then and I don't now," he said. "I just felt after talking to my children that they need me more than I need to be in a campaign. That's not to say I won't run in the future. But right now, it would not be fair to the voters for me to run. I've got too much on my plate to do a fair and decent job."
Patton's reaction
Patton said he was surprised by McNally's decision, but he's happy to see him go.
"I've still got to campaign, but I'm glad to hear this," Patton said. "It's not because I'm fearful. I'm confident I'll win, but no one really likes to have an opponent, and now I have one less. It's not going to change my strategy."
McNally served on Youngstown City Council from 1972 to 1976 and from 1994 to 2000. Patton challenged McNally for the 5th Ward council seat in 1995, and lost to the incumbent by about 160 votes.
The 60th Ohio House District includes Youngstown, Campbell, Coitsville, Lowellville, Struthers, and nine precincts in Austintown.
skolnick@vindy.com