Strong Dem party was key to win for Fuda in Trumbull, analysts say

Democrats in Niles have had notable success in recent years.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County has one of the more powerful Democratic parties in Ohio, which helps to explain why votes piled up so heavily in favor of its endorsed commissioner candidate, Frank Fuda, a statewide party official said.
"When you go from Trumbull County to other counties, the difference is like night and day," said Dennis L. White, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2002 through last December.
White said the reason is Christ Michelakis, the county chairman.
"If we had more people like Chris, John Kerry would probably be president right now," said White, who said he believes Trumbull County's party is among the top 5 percent in the state in terms of its influence among voters.
White, who is deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, says a good contrast is shown by Franklin County, which is split 50/50 in terms of the strength of Democratic and Republican parties.
Even Cuyahoga County, White said, which is dominated by Democratic politics, doesn't have an edge over Trumbull County, White said. Sometimes the Cuyahoga Democrats take their strength for granted; Democrats in Trumbull County are working hard, he said.
Strong finish
In Tuesday's race, Niles Councilman Fuda finished well ahead of second-place Mauro Cantalamessa, 12,390 votes to 7,448. Warren Council President Robert Marchese had 5,498, Girard Mayor James Melfi had 4,197 and Ted Harrell had 848. Fuda faces Republican Niki Frenchko in November.
Bill Binning, chairman of Youngstown State University's political science department, agrees that the Trumbull organization has been successful in recent years in electing candidates, especially ones with roots in Niles.
In addition to Fuda, Niles is home to Commissioner Paul Heltzel and Clerk of Courts Karen Infante Allen, both elected in 2004.
Binning said such party strength is somewhat rare in Ohio today, but he finds it a healthy thing. "I like to see healthy local parties," said Binning, who was himself Republican Party chairman in Mahoning County in the 1980s.
Binning said it is difficult to say how important Fuda's labor endorsement may have been in his election. "A winner has many fathers. A loser is an orphan," Binning said.
Well-known figure
Binning noted that Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers of America Local 1112 at the General Motors Lordstown complex, is one of the most recognizable figures in the Mahoning Valley and therefore has a lot of influence.
"We felt he [Fuda] was the best candidate for the job," Graham said, noting his support was not only based on Fuda's being "labor friendly."
Graham said Fuda is "squeaky clean," has the ability to communicate and works well with other people.
Some political observers have predicted that Fuda and Commissioner Daniel Polivka would form an alliance that might leave Heltzel out of the loop. Graham said he hopes that doesn't happen.
The labor leader said he believes Fuda, Polivka and Heltzel would "make a very good team" and work closer with the Mahoning County commissioners.
Graham said there must be a concerted effort to promote the Mahoning Valley. "This area is being depleted by the minute. It needs a stabilizing force," he said.
He called attention to Punxsutawney, Pa., where the community takes in hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, with its Punxsutawney Phil observances every Groundhog Day.
The Mahoning Valley hasn't promoted its two universities, museums, Chevrolet Centre and even its low cost of living nearly enough, Graham argued. "There are so many places in this area that aren't being promoted."
Proof is in the money
Michelakis said evidence that the endorsement helped Fuda is in the amount of money spent by his opponents.
As of April 12, Cantalamessa had spent $73,921, and Marchese said he planned to spend around $60,000. Both said most of their financing was from themselves and family members. Fuda reported spending $45,548 with most of that coming from contributions.
"Some candidates spent a lot of money, and it still didn't get them the win," Michelakis said, adding that Fuda himself was responsible for most of his success because he worked so tirelessly talking to precinct committee members and other voters.
The party chairman said getting the party endorsement entitles the candidate to advertising on television and through mailings that associate that candidate with other endorsed Democrats. All endorsed Democrats, including most of the unopposed candidates, pay the same $1,700 to pay for the advertising, he said.
"Not too many endorsed candidates are getting beat in the primary," Michelakis said.
Heltzel agrees with Michelakis that party endorsement is typically responsible for delivering thousands of votes to a candidate. Heltzel himself received the party endorsement in his successful campaign for commissioner in 2004. He said it helped him because he had never run for office before.
Heltzel calculated the value as being 270 (the number of precinct committee members in the county) multiplied by eight to 10 -- because that's how many people precinct committee members can influence.
Heltzel said he believes that party meetings in Trumbull County are better attended than in other places and precinct committee vacancies rarely last more than a couple of months. "For some people, it's almost like a hobby," he said.
Contributor: Tim Yovich, Vindicator Trumbull staff.
runyan@vindy.com