Rivals protest Williams' letter
The mayoral candidate says the letter isn't campaign material.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A letter sent by Jay Williams, an independent mayoral candidate, to Democratic precinct committee members touting himself as a Democrat is raising concerns of two of his opponents.
In a Sept. 1 opinion requested by Williams, the Ohio Elections Commission wrote that he couldn't use phrases such as "registered Democrat" and "lifelong Democrat" in campaign materials. Also, the OEC letter reads that by filing as an independent, Williams has "specifically disavowed an affiliation with a registered political party."
Williams had asked in his July 8 letter to the OEC if he could use those Democrat terms in campaign communications such as "literature, radio, TV, print media, etc."
Appointment complaint
In a Friday letter to Youngstown Democratic precinct committee members, Williams complains about the appointment last week of Michael V. Sciortino as Mahoning County auditor. The appointment was made by precinct committee members in the county.
In the letter, Williams uses the phrase, "our Democratic Party" three times, and also wrote, "I have been a Democrat my entire life."
The letter is written on official "Jay Williams for Mayor" stationery, and the bottom of the letter has a disclaimer saying it was paid by Williams' committee.
Phil Richter, OEC executive director, said an independent candidate can't use his party status on campaign materials, but he couldn't say if the letter would be considered a campaign material.
Williams said the letter isn't a campaign material and doesn't fall under the OEC's jurisdiction.
"This is a letter from me to certain constituents," Williams said. "It's completely within my right to have personal correspondence. I don't need to ask [the OEC's] permission to exercise my First Amendment rights."
Opponent objects
Maggy Lorenzi, also an independent mayoral candidate and a registered Democrat, said she sees a problem with the letter. Lorenzi gave a copy of the letter to The Vindicator.
"He was told not to do this," she said.
State Sen. Robert F. Hagan, the Democratic mayoral nominee, said if Williams wants to call himself a Democrat, he should have run in the party's mayoral primary in May.
"He's trying to have it both ways," Hagan said. "He's sending out confusing signals. He's trying to confuse people."
skolnick@vindy.com