Political novice in Senate won’t have luxury of time

State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty Township, D-32nd, soon-to-be minority leader, is unwavering in the choice of Atty. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield to replace state Sen. John Boccieri, who is vacating his 33rd District seat to go to Washington as the 16th District congressman.

Although Schiavoni has never held public office, nor run in an election, Cafaro insists the 29-year-old worker’s compensation lawyer is up to the challenge of quickly becoming familiar with the pressing issues of day, foremost of which is the state’s imploding state budget. And, she insists, he will have a record on which to run for the office in two years.

But skepticism among Democratic leaders and long-time party insiders is running high. That’s because Schiavoni was a late-entry in the appointment sweepstakes, and because he has been back in the area for just three years. Prior to that, he was at Ohio University and Capital Law School.

Regardless, members of the Democratic caucus in the Senate were unanimous in their selection of him, and now the residents of the district that includes Mahoning and Carroll counties and parts of Stark and Tuscarawas counties have a right to expect full, competent representation.

With state government having to deal with a major loss in revenue due to the national and global economic recession, local governments will soon feel the full impact of the almost $2 billion in spending cuts Gov. Ted Strickland has announced starting early next year.

That means competition for state dollars will be intense, indeed. In the 33rd District, the city of Youngstown is the largest community — one facing problems not experienced in the suburbs or rural areas.

During his tenure in Columbus, Boccieri found a way of responding to the various demands from the counties, cities, townships and villages. It’s a balancing act that takes hard work and dedication.

Commitment

Schiavoni has said he is prepared to put in the time necessary to address the needs of his constituents and deal with such overarching issues as job preservation and creation.

Schiavoni has an incentive to work hard: In two years, he will run for a full term, and given the negative reaction from some in the political class in the district, he can expect opposition in the Democratic primary, and from the Republican Party in the General Election.

By running on a record of accomplishments and legislative initiatives, the senator could silence the critics who contend that his appointment was orchestrated by Cafaro. The soon-to-be minority leader has said she did not know Schiavoni prior to his being interviewed by the Democrats in Columbus.

For his part, the appointee publicly credited former Senate President Harry Meshel with persuading him to seek the position.

Although retired from politics, Meshel still has many contracts in Columbus and is viewed as one of the elder statesmen of the Ohio Democratic Party. His guidance will stand Schiavoni in good stead.

The senator-appointee also has the support of prominent businessman Bruce Zoldan, who is considered a close ally of Gov. Ted Strickland.

There is an opportunity for this political novice to make a good impression in Columbus and to prove his local critics wrong. But, he will have to work hard and quickly learn how to maneuver in the choppy political waters of state government.