Youngstown mayor endorses Obama

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams is endorsing Barack Obama’s bid for president.

Williams joined the candidate’s National Mayors Council and is making calls to “other urban leaders across the country” in support of the U.S. senator, said Ben LaBolt, an Obama spokesman.

“He’s offered to help in the run-up to Feb. 5 when we’ll have contests in 22 states,” LaBolt said of the Youngstown mayor. “We are grateful that he’s offered to lend his time as a surrogate on the road for us.”

The campaign is talking to Williams to determine when and where he can serve as a surrogate for Obama, LaBolt said.

Just last week, Williams said he was undecided about who he would endorse. But the mayor has repeatedly stated he is impressed with Obama, considered with U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as the two Democratic presidential front-runners.

“I admire his ability to inspire; he’s seen as an agent of change,” Williams said.

Williams attended a fundraiser for Obama in Boardman in June, leaving the event impressed with the candidate.

Williams said Obama’s next visit to the Mahoning Valley should be at an open-air rally, preferably in downtown Youngstown.

Williams, the city’s first black mayor, said Obama has the ability to “appeal across racial lines.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com