Bolon to seek Ohio House seat

The candidate has served in -- or audited -- many forms of government.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Shortly after announcing her new political bid, Linda Bolon was asked if she was having second thoughts.
"No," Bolon said, "It's very exciting."
Bolon, the Columbiana County treasurer, announced at the Timberlanes on Monday that she will run for the 1st Ohio House District seat.
Bolon was appointed county treasurer in 1999 and has since been elected to the job. Bolon was the highest vote getter in the county when she ran for treasurer in 2004. If she loses her state race, she'll remain treasurer.
In her remarks, Bolon noted that Republican Charles Blasdel barely kept the seat two years ago.
House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty kicked off the praise for Bolon and her credentials.
"This seat has Democrat written all over it," Beatty said.
Beatty touted Bolon's experience as a state auditor, saying it could be put to good use in Columbus, in the ongoing investigation into questionable investments of state funds.
Previous appointment
Bolon was appointed to help mop up a previous scandal in the office she now holds. She's a certified government financial manager with the Association of Government Accountants, and a certified fraud examiner with the National Association of Fraud Examiners. She was a state auditor and audit manager for 14 years.
She has also worked for the East Palestine Schools, the Columbiana Library, and was a council woman in East Palestine, where she resides.
Bolon noted that Gov. Bob Taft was appearing in the county Monday. "It's his first visit since he was elected almost eight years ago," Bolon said.
The candidate said she would work to prevent job loss and improve schools.
Nick Barborak of Lisbon, an assistant Columbiana County prosecutor who had earlier announced his candidacy for the House seat, said he had withdrawn from the race. Barborak was at Bolon's press conference in a show of party solidarity.
State Sen. Charles Wilson, D-30th, and Frances Strickland, wife of Congressman Ted Strickland, also appears to praise Bolon.
Blasdel is not running for re-election. Columbiana County Commissioner Jim Hoppel, who is now in his third term, is running for Blasdel's seat.
wilkinson@vindy.com