DAVID SKOLNICK \ Politics Ted's possible adventure inspires others

Just the thought of U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland's running in 2006 for governor has several politicians, particularly those from the Mahoning Valley, looking to replace the House member in two years.
But unless the aspiring Democratic congressional candidates from the Valley can come to an agreement that only one -- possibly two, if most of the would-be candidates would get behind one -- would run for the 6th District seat, there is little chance that Strickland's replacement would come from this area.
A majority of the 12-county 6th District's population is in the upper four counties: Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson and Belmont. The two Valley counties make up about one-third of the district's population so it is reasonable to say a well-known candidate from Mahoning or Columbiana counties would stand a good chance to succeed Strickland.
Local Democrats interested in replacing Strickland include Mahoning County Commissioner Ed Reese, Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon, state Sen. Robert F. Hagan and state Rep. John Boccieri.
Also, you can't discount the possibility that Mahoning County Auditor George Tablack and Youngstown Mayor George M. McKelvey could jump into the race. While Tablack and McKelvey, both Democrats, repeatedly decline to comment on their interest in the seat, their names are brought up by local political insiders as possible candidates. McKelvey could run as an independent or possibly as a Republican, allowing him to avoid a crowded Democratic primary.
Reese, Reardon, Hagan and Boccieri agree that they couldn't win with several Mahoning County candidates in the race because they would split the vote.
There are a few possibilities that could thin the field.
Boccieri, an Air Force Reserves pilot currently in the Middle East, is also considering a statewide run in 2006, possibly for secretary of state.
Also, in 2006, the Ohio Senate 33rd District seat will open with Hagan not running for the post because of the state's term limits law. Reese and Boccieri have both expressed interest in that seat, but so has Mahoning County Recorder Ronald Gerberry, a former state House member.
Hagan and Reardon suggest the would-be Valley 6th District candidates commission a poll to see if there is a clear-cut favorite. If some of the candidates poll poorly, they should get out of the race, Hagan and Reardon said. If there is a heavy favorite, everyone else should step aside, the two said.
"We should rally around the strongest candidate in Mahoning County, and I am that strongest candidate," Reardon said. "A poll would show I'm the most electable person in the county. I'm not getting out of this race in 2006."
Reardon said he has better voter recognition than any other would-be candidate, primarily because his name goes out twice a year to 165,000 people in the county on tax bills. Also, he was the top vote-getter in the March primary in Mahoning County. (He ran unopposed.)
"There are people in Canfield and Boardman who couldn't name their state legislators or county auditor or any of their county commissioners, but can name their county treasurer," he said.
If all -- or most -- of the Valley candidates stay in the race, the congressional district's Democratic nominee would be state Rep. Charles Wilson of St. Clairsville. Wilson is running in November for the 30th District Ohio Senate seat and is the favorite to win that race. But he, too, has his eye on the 6th Congressional District spot in 2006.
"We don't want to scatter the votes and let the southern part of the district represent the Valley's interests in Congress," Hagan said. "We'd tear each other apart, and Charlie Wilson would sit there and let us do it."
Reese, a member of John Kerry's national finance committee, said if the Democratic presidential candidate wins, it would help his campaign two years down the road.
"I would have a good relationship with the new regime," said Reese, who has raised about $90,000 for Kerry.
If Strickland runs for governor in 2006, it would also be an opportunity for the Republicans to pick up another congressional seat in Ohio. A strong Republican candidate for the seat is state Rep. Charles Blasdel, who represents Columbiana County in the Ohio House, and he thought about challenging Strickland this year.