6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Dem files paperwork to run in primary
Several Mahoning Democrats also are interested in Ted Strickland's seat.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
The primary for the 6th Congressional District seat is almost a year away, but state Sen. Charles A. Wilson Jr. isn't wasting any time.
Wilson, of St. Clairsville, D-30th, told The Vindicator on Friday that he has filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will run in the 2006 Democratic primary for the post. He plans to spend $250,000 to $300,000 on the primary.
"This announcement gives me a chance to get started on the campaign," Wilson said. "It's early, but I want to get in there. I want to establish as many relationships early rather than starting in September or October."
Wilson's entry into the congressional race isn't a surprise. Almost a year ago, while successfully running for state Senate, Wilson expressed interest in the congressional seat if U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Ohio, of Lisbon, opted not to run for re-election in 2006.
Seesaw effect
Strickland announced this month that he wouldn't run for re-election to Congress in 2006 and instead would seek the Democratic nomination for governor.
That decision came four months after Strickland said he wouldn't run for governor because his work in the U.S. House was too important, and he "never, ever felt comfortable with the thought of being governor."
Several people, including Wilson, had anticipated Strickland would run for governor. After Strickland's announcement in January, those potential candidates said they wouldn't challenge the congressman.
But after prompting by national Democratic leaders and others, Strickland changed his mind. That allowed the potential candidates to reconsider.
During his eight years in the Ohio House, and during this term in the Senate, Wilson has served about 50 percent of the 6th Congressional District's constituents.
The 30th Senate District includes three of the four counties with the largest populations in the 12-county 6th Congressional District: Columbiana, Jefferson and Belmont.
Those three, along with Mahoning County, make up about 70 percent of the 6th District's population.
Wilson said he expects at least three or four challengers in the Democratic primary, and his announcement may make others, particularly those in Mahoning, think twice about running.
At least four prominent Mahoning County Democrats are looking to run for the seat. Wilson said if they run, they will cancel each other out allowing him to win - a theory the potential Mahoning candidates also believe to be true.
Others interested
Other Democrats considering a run for the congressional seat in 2006 include: state Rep. John Boccieri, D-New Middletown; Mahoning Treasurer John Reardon; ex-Mahoning Commissioner Ed Reese; and Mahoning Auditor George Tablack.
Reardon is looking at either the congressional seat or a run next year for state auditor. Reardon said he will decide which seat to pursue shortly.
"I understand the arithmetic of this district and it isn't winnable for Mahoning County if more than one candidate from the county runs in the primary," he said.
But Reardon said his decision to run for Congress hinges entirely on his chances of defeating Wilson in the primary.
"If I get in the race, the other Mahoning County candidates would be dissuaded from running for the seat," he said.
Reardon said his "ace in the hole" is that he doesn't have to give up his current job to run for Congress.
If Boccieri runs next year, he couldn't seek another term in the Ohio House. If Tablack runs, he couldn't run for re-election as county auditor. Tablack hasn't publicly stated his interest in the seat, but Wilson, Reardon, Boccieri and Reese say the auditor is considering a run.
Reese and Boccieri are also considering bids next year for the 33rd Ohio Senate District seat, currently held by state Sen. Robert F. Hagan, the Democratic nominee in this year's Youngstown mayoral race.
Should Hagan win in November, he will resign with a year left on his term. The 10 remaining Democrats in the Senate would select Hagan's successor for that final year.
Boccieri, who's also looking at running next year for secretary of state, has lined up the support of a majority of those 10 Democratic senators, and could get the one-year appointment if he wants it. Wilson said he is among the majority of Democratic senators who support Boccieri if the vacancy occurs.
Under this scenario, Boccieri would have to run in 2006 to retain the Senate seat. Mahoning Recorder Ronald Gerberry, a former state House member, has also said he wants to run for the Senate seat.
Reese said it is vital that only one Mahoning candidate run for the congressional seat.
"Too many people from here will cut us up," he said. "By no one up north jumping into the race, it shows it's a big decision to make."
Boccieri agrees, but said he doesn't think only one Valley candidate will get into the race. Boccieri said this is the top U.S. House race for both political parties next year. That's because it is among a small number of districts with an open seat that both elected a Democratic House member and voted for President Bush last year.
If more than one Mahoning candidate runs, Wilson would win the primary, Boccieri said. But unless Wilson can make major headway in Mahoning County, he'll lose the general election to the Republican nominee because that party will pour millions of dollars into the race, Boccieri said.
Also interested in running in the Democratic primary is Diane DiCarlo Murphy of Beaver Township, who was badly defeated by Strickland in the 2004 Democratic primary.
GOP
Republicans are expected to back Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool for the seat. National Republican officials are urging Blasdel to run.
Noble County Commissioner Danny Harmon filed his declaration of candidacy in January with the FEC for the seat.
Other Republicans looking at the position include state Rep. Jimmy Stewart of Athens, and Nancy Hollister, a former lieutenant governor, state representative and Marietta mayor. Strickland defeated Hollister in the 1998 election for Congress.
skolnick@vindy.com