Party leaders looking to Nov.

Defeated candidates are disappointed but will help the primary winners.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Democratic primary winners and losers as well as party leaders need to put last week's race behind them and concentrate on the big prize: election victories in November, county Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini said.
Antonini hosted a "unity breakfast" Friday at Anthony's on the River inviting successful and failed candidates from the May 2 Democratic primary.
Those attending included state Sen. Robert F. Hagan, who beat five Democratic opponents for the 60th Ohio House District seat. Also in attendance were three candidates Hagan defeated May 2 -- Struthers Councilman Daniel R. Yemma, Michael J. Latessa and Ian Stublarec.
Hagan faces no opposition in the November general election for the House post. Hagan said he could stay at home and not help his fellow Democrats. But this year's election, particularly the gubernatorial race, is too important for him to be on the sidelines, he said.
"The animosity of the past has to turn into the unity of the future," Hagan said Friday. "What happened in the past is done. We need to work together."
Yemma, who was supported by Antonini, said he's disappointed he lost the primary but will do what he can to help get Democrats elected in November. Latessa and Stublarec echoed Yemma's sentiment.
Benefit for losers
There are political futures for those who lost the May 2 primary, Antonini said.
"Right now, they can campaign to help state and local candidates," she said. "If there is an opportunity in the future, they're ahead of the curve by running and losing because running increases name recognition with voters."
Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon, who withdrew from the Ohio auditor's race at the strong urging of Ohio Democratic leaders, said he understands the disappointment felt by those who lost in the primary.
"Anyone in [my] position would be a little bitter and say, 'To hell with them,'" Reardon said. "But I decided to fully support all the Democratic candidates."
That includes state Rep. Barbara Sykes, the Democratic auditor nominee, he said.
Judge William O'Neill of the Warren-based 7th District Court of Appeals, who won an Ohio Supreme Court justice Democratic primary last week, also attended and praised Mahoning Democrats for helping his campaign. The judge received 70.9 percent of the county's vote in the primary against a candidate endorsed by the state Democratic Party.
"If every county had a team like you have, I wouldn't need a statewide committee," he told Antonini.
What GOP is doing
Ohio Republicans are coming together after a divisive gubernatorial primary that saw Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell beat Attorney General Jim Petro. Republicans from throughout the state were to meet in Columbus today for a unity event with Blackwell and Petro scheduled to attend.
"Now that the election is over, we will unify behind Blackwell," said Mark Munroe, Mahoning County Republican vice chairman and the party's 33rd District state central committeeman.
Munroe said he and other Republicans who supported Petro are completely behind Blackwell. "Unity is very important, and I'm seeing it already," he added.
skolnick@vindy.com