Democrats alter rules, endorse Dann, Strickland in primary

The chairwoman said the amendments will strengthen the party.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Before voting on constitution changes to allow endorsement of party candidates in primary elections, Mahoning County Democratic precinct committee members heard party leaders stress the importance of such endorsements.
State Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty, D-32nd, and the Democratic nominee for Ohio attorney general, said Democrats have watched as Republicans "are robbing us of our future" with mismanagement of government at the state and federal levels.
"It is an unacceptable state of affairs when it is cheaper for an Ohio student to attend Arizona State University than it is to attend Youngstown State University and live at home," Dann said.
State Rep. Ken Carano of Austintown, D-59th, the committee's chairman, said the condition of state and federal government under Republican leadership is horrendous.
"There was a time when we didn't want to endorse candidates, but times change," he said. "We have to stop thinking small and think on the state level. Endorsements give us influence, and influence is what we need."
How vote went
The county Democrats approved the constitution changes 88 to 19 Monday at the Italian American Club on Meridian Road. The proposal had to pass by a two-thirds margin with at least 100 members present for a quorum.
Precinct committee members also voted to endorse candidates for state races endorsed by the Ohio Democratic Party, including Dann and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, who is running for governor.
Lisa Antonini, the party's chairwoman, said the evening's events will significantly strengthen the county party.
She said members had healthy debate on issues and made valid points that were included in amendments. The overwhelming vote of support will bring changes that will help the party work more effectively and be even more unified, she said.
"This is positive change that will help us go a long way," she said.
Carano said the party's elections committee met nine times during the last month with precinct committee men and women to discuss proposed changes to the organization's constitution.
Although members voted to endorse candidates for state offices, endorsements won't be made for local Democrats in the May 2 primary. Officials said there's not enough time before the primary to give candidates a fair amount of time to lobby precinct committee people for their votes.
When the party does choose to endorse candidates in a primary, the primary winner will then automatically become the party's endorsed candidate in the general election.