Thursday, May 12, 2005
The failed candidates said they didn't know about the event to show unity.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The campaign of the Democratic nominee for Youngstown mayor is billing a June 2 event as a "Democrat unity picnic," but at least half of Robert F. Hagan's primary opponents aren't interested in being united with him right now.
Hagan's mayoral campaign staff sent e-mails Wednesday to his supporters, who sign up to receive information through his Web site, announcing the event. The picnic is at 5 p.m. June 2 at Hagan's mayoral campaign headquarters on East Federal Street. It includes free food and drinks.
Anthony Caldwell, a Hagan campaign staff member organizing the picnic, said the event's goal is to bring the Democratic mayoral candidates and party officials together to unify behind Hagan.
"Now that the primary is over, the Democrats have to get behind the party's nominee," Caldwell said.
But the six Democrats who lost in last week's primary to Hagan, a state senator, said they first heard about the picnic on Wednesday from a Vindicator reporter. Hagan's campaign sent the e-mail to his supporters before speaking to the six defeated Democratic opponents about the unity event.
Three of those Democrats -- Police Chief Robert Bush, council President James Fortune Sr. and former council President John Swierz -- said they have no interest in attending Hagan's event. In last week's race, Bush finished second, Swierz was third and Fortune fifth.
"At this time, I'm not doing anything but relaxing," Swierz said. "I won't be there."
When asked if he plans to endorse Hagan, Swierz said he hasn't given it any thought.
Bush said he has other plans for that day.
As for endorsing Hagan, Bush said, "I haven't given it much thought one way or the other."
In the November general election, Hagan faces Republican Robert Korchnak and four independent candidates, including Jay Williams, the city's former Community Development Agency director.
Fortune said he has no interest in attending the free event.
"I'm not in the mood for nonsense right now," he said. "The [Democratic] Party is too late in unifying."
Fortune also said he isn't ready to endorse any of the mayoral candidates in the November election.
Lisa Antonini, Mahoning County Democratic chairwoman, said she and Hagan had discussed holding an event to unify the party. But when told about the e-mail with a specific time and date, Antonini was surprised.
"As of last week, we were still clarifying dates and times," she said. "We want to set everyone's differences aside and unite."
Question
William Binning, chairman of Youngstown State University's political science department and a former Mahoning County Republican chairman, said holding a unity event after a primary isn't uncommon. But he questions why Hagan's campaign would announce a date for the event before informing the nominee's defeated opponents.
"It's a risk because it highlights that the party isn't united, and the event is billed as a unity picnic," Binning said. "It's not a good thing if you can't get everyone on board. You want to get your ducks in a row before announcing this to others."
State Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr., who finished fourth in last week's primary, said he would attend the event if his schedule permits it.
Patton said he is behind Hagan in the general election because "I'm a Democrat and [Hagan] won the primary. I support the Democratic winner."
Councilman Michael Rapovy of the 5th Ward, who finished sixth in the primary, said Caldwell left a message Friday to call him back, but Rapovy was too busy to do so.
Rapovy intends to attend the June 2 event because "I've got to see what the hell is going on. No matter what, I'm a Democrat so I support the Democratic nominee."
William Flickinger, who finished last in the Democratic primary, said he wasn't sure if he'd attend the event. He also doubts he's invited.
"I'm not ready to support" Hagan, he said.