Giuliani to attend fundraiser in Vienna

This would be the first visit to the area by a major GOP presidential candidate.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

Rudy Giuliani, the Republican presidential front-runner, is to attend a private fundraiser Tuesday at the Vienna home of a former judge.

About 50 people are expected at the event, said Craig Bonar, Trumbull County Republican Party chairman. The cost is $1,000 per person, and $1,500 for those wanting a photo with the former New York City mayor.

Republican leaders in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, two of the most Democratic counties in the state, say Giuliani’s visit shows that their political party realizes the importance of the Mahoning Valley vote in Ohio. Ohio was considered one of the key states in the 2004 presidential election and is expected to have that same role next year.

“We’ll be seeing a lot of GOP contenders before the March primary and after that when the nominee is selected,” said Mark Munroe, Mahoning County Republican vice chairman. “All of these guys are engaged in fundraising. We’ll see more political activity from them.”

This would be the first visit to the Mahoning Valley this year by one of the major Republican presidential candidates. U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California visited the area in June but is way behind in most polls, if he’s included at all. U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona campaigned in the Valley last year on behalf of then-U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine. McCain wasn’t a declared presidential candidate at that time.

Ex-U.S. Rep. Lyle Williams of Lordstown, co-chairman of Tuesday’s fundraiser, met Giuliani through mutual friends and was instrumental in persuading the candidate’s campaign to hold a fundraiser in this area.

“He knows the importance of Ohio and this area,” Williams said. “I’m sure he’ll be back.”

Giuliani’s campaign almost canceled Tuesday’s event, Bonar said.

The campaign wanted those purchasing tickets for Tuesday’s event to pay in advance.

“They wanted the money in the bank or they would have canceled,” Bonar said.

But that was resolved, Williams said.

“Candidates don’t want to come for 10 people,” Williams said.

The Giuliani event will be held at the Sodom Hutchings Road house of Thomas Schubert, a former Trumbull County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court judge.

The 107-year-old farm home — called the Runnymede Farm — is on 45.82 acres. It is 3,476 square feet with nine rooms, according to the Trumbull County auditor’s Web site.

skolnick@vindy.com