Stabile Harwood to run unopposed

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Sandra Stabile Harwood

The two former candidates plan to run for the seat in two years.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

Seeking her fourth term in the Ohio House, Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood had the dubious distinction of being the only state legislator representing the Mahoning Valley to face a challenge in the March 4 primary.

Not anymore.

Atty. Michael S. Harshman of Liberty and John D. Williams of Liberty, the two candidates who filed to challenge her in the Democratic primary, both withdrew from the race.

Both said they got out of the race to show party unity.

Harshman and Williams also said they’re interested in running for the seat in 2010, when Stabile Harwood, an attorney from Niles, cannot seek re-election because of state term-limits law.

“This makes life a little easier, at least for March,” said Stabile Harwood, of Niles, D-65th. “I was going to run on my record and my accomplishments. You’d rather be unopposed or, in my case, have both of them in it.”

Stabile Harwood faces Republican Lyle Waddell in the November general election in a Democratic-leaning district.

Harshman said he filed for the seat because he was concerned Stabile Harwood would take a political appointment before the election and Williams would win the Democratic primary by default.

But Williams withdrew Friday with the expectation it would “clear the way for the incumbent.”

Stabile Harwood said she won’t accept a political appointment while serving in the Ohio House.

In December 2006, Stabile Harwood unsuccessfully sought the appointment by the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus to fill the vacancy in the 32nd state Senate District created by the resignation of Marc Dann of Liberty. Dann quit to serve as Ohio attorney general.

Last year, Stabile Harwood applied to work in the Gov. Ted Strickland administration and was a candidate for a vacant 11th District Court of Appeals judicial seat.

When Stabile Harwood applied for the judicial seat — Strickland appointed Judge Timothy P. Cannon of Painesville to the post — Harshman announced his interest in having the Ohio House Democratic Caucus appoint him to replace her as a legislator.

Democrats need a net gain of four seats in the November general election to obtain a majority over Republicans in the House. Republicans currently control the House 53-46.

Without Democratic challengers, the party won’t have to devote money to protect the incumbent in the 65th District primary, Stabile Harwood, Harshman and Williams said.

Harshman is a well-known area attorney and prominent Democratic donor. Williams, a lieutenant colonel, is the squad commander of the 757th Airlift Squadron at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna.

skolnick@vindy.com