Antonini, state Dem chairman trade barbs

YOUNGSTOWN — Ex-Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairwoman Lisa Antonini said she was excluded from state party politics after she voted against Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern.

But Redfern says Antonini walked away from the state party after that December 2005 vote.

Antonini resigned Friday as the first Mahoning County Democratic chairwoman after nearly seven years in that position. Antonini said today that she quit because she couldn’t devote the time needed to be party chairwoman and serve as county treasurer.

“I could feel in my heart and soul it wasn’t in me” to remain as chairwoman, she said. “I wasn’t putting a lot of time into it. It requires a lot of time going to Columbus, speaking and meeting with Democratic officeholders and precinct committee members. It was my problem and my fault.”

During the past six to eight months, Antonini acknowledges she “wasn’t devoting as much time as I should have to the party.”

Antonini said her frosty relationship with state Democratic leaders didn’t lead to her resignation, but she was disappointed it existed.

“It’s unfortunate Chris Redfern took a stand against me,” she said.

Redfern sees the situation differently.

“It does no one any constructive good to rehash the reasons why Lisa Antonini wouldn’t support the Ohio Democratic Party the past 3 1‚Ñ2 years,” Redfern said when asked about his relationship with her. “I wish her well in her retirement from politics and hope she gets over whatever discontent she has for the Ohio Democratic Party and me.”

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