Blasdel gets acquainted with district

The state House member is among four Republicans seeking the seat.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
State Rep. Charles Blasdel, a Republican running for the 6th Congressional District seat next year, admits he sometimes gets a little lost when campaigning through the 12-county district.
But Blasdel, of East Liverpool, the Ohio House Speaker pro tempore, said he is quickly learning his away around the district that stretches more than 350 miles southwest from Mahoning County to Scioto County.
Blasdel, R-1st, began Monday at the Col-Pump Foundry on East Railroad Street in Columbiana on a trip to "officially" announce his candidacy.
Blasdel also made stops in Jefferson and Belmont counties Monday. His trip, which ends Thursday, also includes stops in Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia and Scioto counties.
Raising funds
Blasdel's been a candidate for the job for several months and has traveled throughout the district on other occasions. Blasdel reported in mid-October that his congressional campaign had raised $236,950 as of Sept. 30. That's more than any other candidate in the race.
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Lisbon Democrat, isn't seeking re-election next year; he's running for governor.
National Republican Congressional Committee officials say this race is their No. 1 target in the country as far as picking up a Democratic district. National Democrats say the position is one of their top priorities as far as retaining a seat being vacated by a Democrat.
The diverse 6th District includes much of Mahoning County's suburbs and goes to Appalachian counties that rely heavily on coal mining for their economic base.
"There are differences but the economic impact is the same," Blasdel said of the district. "The people are very similar in what they want: Decent-paying jobs and a good education for their kids."
Other candidates
Blasdel is among four Republicans running for the party's nomination in the May 2006 primary.
The others are Noble County Commissioner Danny Harmon, Tim Ginter of East Liverpool, and Richard Holt of Lawrence County. The three raised about $40,000 combined as of Sept. 30.
Announced Democrats for the 6th District seat are state Sen. Charles Wilson of St. Clairsville, and Diane DiCarlo Murphy of Beaver Township, who Strickland overwhelmingly defeated in the 2004 Democratic primary.
Wilson reported raising $220,591.19 as of Sept. 30, and expects to raise between $300,000 and $400,000 by the end of the year. Murphy didn't file a report.
Wilson had originally expected to face a number of well-known Mahoning County politicians in next year's Democratic primary for the seat. But he no longer sees that as likely.
"The boat's left the dock," Wilson said. "We're doing a good job of raising money. For someone to come in now, they'd have an uphill climb."
skolnick@vindy.com