Union says it did not endorse opponent of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan

YOUNGSTOWN — An employee union is demanding U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s Republican opponent remove “false information” from his Web site that the union and its retiree chapter endorsed him.

But Republican Duane V. Grassell of Mogadore, challenging Ryan in the 17th Congressional District, said he received a letter stating he was endorsed by the American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8 and its retiree Chapter 1184.

John J. Filak, AFSCME’s Youngstown regional director, acknowledged a mistake was probably made and Grassell accidentally received a letter of endorsement.

Filak sent a letter, dated Friday, to Grassell and copied to three newspapers, including The Vindicator, demanding Grassell remove the endorsements from his Web site — grassellforcongress.info/ — or the unions would “take all appropriate action.”

Grassell said he didn’t receive the letter today — The Vindicator received it that day — and based on what a reporter told him about its contents, he instructed his webmaster to remove the endorsements.

“If this was told to me directly, I would have taken it down immediately,” he said. “...It was their failing and not mine.”

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.