Ohio GOP leaders criticize Boccieri over Dann views

COLUMBUS (AP) — As Ohio’s attorney general sex scandal becomes the butt of national jokes, Democratic congressional candidates who will face the state’s voters this fall are scrambling to distance themselves.

Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy and state Sen. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-33rd — Democrats locked in two of the nation’s most closely watched congressional contests — were among the first to call for Attorney General Marc Dann’s resignation.

Boccieri’s initial public statements Friday were sympathetic to Dann, indicating that the attorney general — a surprise victor in the 2006 elections — appeared to be grappling with a personal matter.

Top state Democrats — including Strickland, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern and legislative leaders — spent much of Sunday trying to persuade Dann behind the scenes to resign.

By Monday, after those efforts had failed, Boccieri was characterizing Dann’s conduct as an outrage.

“I ... regret the embarrassment his conduct and the conduct of certain members of his staff have caused for the Mahoning Valley and all of northeast Ohio,” Boccieri’s own call for resignation said. “The people of this region, having endured a parade of self-serving public officials, are disappointed that our first chance in a long time to shine has been mired by the behavior of Marc Dann and key officials within his office.”

Republicans eager to retain the 16th District seat held since 1973 by retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula hopped on Boccieri for a flip-flop.

“John Boccieri flipped so quickly on Marc Dann, it’s enough to give you whiplash,” John McClelland, a spokesman for the party, said in a statement.

Boccieri said he gave the first statement to a reporter before he had seen any details of the case and was trying to give Dann the benefit of the doubt.

“I’ve been very clear about my position: I think he should resign,” said Boccieri. “Ultimately I hope the race for Congress is about issues and ideas and not insults.”

Kilroy, of Columbus, said, “Sexual harassment can’t be tolerated,” in one of the first public statements to be released after Dann’s revelations. “As a mother of two daughters ... I am appalled that those in power would abuse their authority in such a shameful way. Marc Dann should resign and he should do so quickly.”

Kilroy campaign manager Randy Borntrager said Kilroy felt strongly about the harassment uncovered at Dann’s office, and party loyalty didn’t matter.

“Sometimes you have to have a little moral courage, stand on principle and do what’s right,” Borntrager said.