Antonini blasts Dem caucus over Boccieri replacement process

Mahoning County Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini warned the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus that if its members ignore the party executive committee’s recommendations for a state Senate position that they run “the serious risk of losing the seat.”

Antonini lashed out at the caucus’ decision to reopen the search after receiving recommendations from Mahoning and the three other counties in the 33rd Ohio Senate District as to who should replace outgoing state Sen. John Boccieri.

“Frankly, the decision to re-open the process has stirred up controversy,” she wrote in a letter to the caucus members. “In part, the decision seems to be an attempt at placating the local newspaper in an effort to win them over politically.”

In an interview today, Antonini confirmed the newspaper is The Vindicator.

The Mahoning Democratic executive committee recommended, in order: ex-Mahoning County Commissioner David Engler, Struthers Councilman at large Daniel Yemma, and Poland Trustee Robert Lidle.

But sources close to the caucus say members are concerned about Engler and Lidle because of their past legal problems, detailed in The Vindicator, and Yemma has failed to attract the support of the members. The sources say that’s what led to the caucus deciding to reopen the process.

The caucus reopened the process at what appears to be the request of incoming Minority Leader Capri Cafaro of Liberty, who wasn’t happy with the choices presented, according to Antonini.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com