Democrats who'll pick successor to Dann say post can't be bought

'Pay-to-play' doesn't exist among Ohio Dems, an Ohio Senate leader says.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
Those determining who succeeds Marc Dann in the state Senate say any characterization that campaign contributions will influence the decision is wildly off-base.
"I think it's insulting to say that if someone had done that that would shade our decision," said state Sen. Kimberly Zurz of Green, D-28th. "We will choose the person who will be the best member of the caucus."
Outgoing state Sen. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-33rd, told The Vindicator in a Sunday article that J.J. Cafaro, the father of Capri Cafaro, a candidate to replace Dann, is "actively lobbying on her behalf. He's passed out a lot of money to the caucus and to individual members. Everyone knows money is the mother's milk of politics."
State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, who also seeks to replace Dann, said people are calling her about Hagan's statement "expressing disappointment [that he would] blatantly come out and say it." Stabile Harwood, D-65th, also said Dann told her during the campaign that the person "who helped him the most" would get his endorsement.
No role
Outgoing Senate Minority Leader C.J. Prentiss of Cleveland, D-21st, said Wednesday she was "disappointed that comment was made" because campaign contributions play no factor in filling Senate vacancies.
"It's unfortunate that slant has taken hold," she said. "I will not allow any decision on who gets appointed to have anything to do with pay to play. Not at all."
Having money to run successful campaigns is among the qualities the next 32nd Ohio Senate District member must have, she said, but contributions to Democrats and the party's Senate caucus are not.
"It put the spin on what we don't do," Prentiss said of Hagan's comments. "A pay-to-play issue doesn't exist in the Democratic Party."
Cafaro spent more than 2.6 million of her own money on her two failed congressional races in 2004 and this year.
"Capri's got more money than God," Prentiss quipped.
Hagan declined Wednesday to elaborate on his comments.
State Sen.-elect John Boccieri, a New Middletown Democrat who will replace Hagan in the 33rd Senate District in January said Prentiss made it clear to him Wednesday that she wasn't pleased with Hagan's comments.
"My litmus test isn't money or the mother's milk of politics," said Boccieri, who received a 5,000 contribution from Cafaro's uncle for his state Senate campaign. "It's about representing the district. Campaign contributions has a very minimal effect. There's a culture of that in Columbus, and it's got to stop."
Qualities sought
State Sen. Dale Miller of Cleveland, D-23rd, said he wants to select someone who has a strong knowledge of the issues, who has a good track record, and is a good fundraiser."
State Sen. Tom Roberts of Trotwood, D-5th, who received 1,000 from J.J. Cafaro, said campaign contributions won't matter in the selection process.
Boccieri, Roberts, Miller, Zurz and the six other members of the incoming Democratic Senate Caucus will meet Nov. 28 to vote on replacements for Dann, of Liberty, and U.S. Rep.-elect Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, who will resign his 30th Ohio Senate District seat next month.
Dann's district includes all of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. Wilson's five-county district includes all of Columbiana County.
The four said Wednesday they will wait until the selection process runs its course before supporting candidates for the two positions.
Dann already has endorsed Cafaro as his replacement. Cafaro and Leo Jennings, Dann's campaign and communications director, strongly deny there was a financial trade-off for the support.
Cafaro's family gave 30,500 to Dann for his successful attorney general campaign. Dann's campaign raised about 2.5 million.
In the running
Other candidates for Dann's seat include former state Sen. Anthony A. Latell Jr., of Girard; Matthew J. Cataline, of Hubbard; and Anthony Gutierrez, of Liberty. Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka, of Warren, was considering a run, but hadn't made a final decision as of earlier this week. He couldn't be reached Wednesday to comment. Martin Hume of Liberty, who was considering a run, said Wednesday that he won't seek the appointment.
Cafaro changed her voter registration Aug. 15 from Lorain County to her parents' home in Liberty. To be eligible for this post, a candidate has to live in his or her district for at least one year before an appointment.
Cafaro said state law allows her to have more than one home, and she's always considered her parents' home to be her primary domicile.
The final decision on her eligibility is up to the caucus.
CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Ortega, The Vindicator's correspondent in Columbus