Bush aide stresses state's importance

The White House official has been working for the president since 1999.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The White House's director of political affairs says President Bush is focused on ensuring Election Day victories for Ohio Republican candidates, particularly U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine and gubernatorial nominee J. Kenneth Blackwell.
Sara Taylor, whose other title is deputy assistant to the president, told The Vindicator on Thursday that Bush also has high hopes for state Rep. Chuck Blasdel, an East Liverpool Republican running against state Sen. Charlie Wilson, a St. Clairsville Democrat, in the open 6th Congressional District race.
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Lisbon Democrat, isn't running for re-election and is the Democratic nominee for governor against Blackwell, the secretary of state.
Bush "believes that is one of the best opportunities in the country to pick up a Democrat seat," Taylor said of the 6th District. "Ohio once again is one of the most important states. When you look at this region, you have a handful of races we're focused on."
Appearance in the area
Taylor, one of Bush's top political aides, was the keynote speaker Wednesday at the Mahoning County Republicans' Reagan Day dinner in Boardman. The event was closed to the press, but Taylor agreed to a Thursday telephone interview with this newspaper.
Taylor, 31, is the daughter of a former Iowa state representative. In 1999, at age 24, Taylor helped organize Bush's first event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where an early and important caucus is held each presidential year. She's worked for Bush or his presidential campaigns since then.
Taylor was heavily involved in both Bush presidential elections and is now focused on major gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races this year as well as promoting Bush's legislative agenda.
Ohio's electoral importance
"You're going to see a lot of activity throughout Ohio with several key races," she said. "This state remains critical for retaining control of the House and the Senate, and also for the 2008 presidential election. No Republican has been elected without winning Ohio. This is the No. 1 place the opposition party is targeting to win in 2008. It's very important to have a Republican governor."
Taylor said Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove -- senior White House aide and her direct boss -- and other White House officials will actively campaign in Ohio for Republican candidates, Taylor said.
Bush is holding a June 30 fundraiser in a Columbus suburb for DeWine and the Ohio Republican Party. Cheney attended a Blasdel fundraiser March 20.
When asked about former Youngstown Mayor George McKelvey, a Democrat who endorsed and campaigned for Bush, Taylor said she never met him.
"But I certainly know of him," she said. "He was an important figure in the re-election of the president in 2004. We definitely remember him. He did the right thing."
skolnick@vindy.com