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Military fires up 6th District GOP hopefuls
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
The three Republicans running for their party’s nomination for the 6th Congressional District seat all point to their military careers as one reason to vote for them in the May primary.
But Donald K. Allen of Boardman, one of the candidates, questions what Bill Johnson of Poland, another candidate, actually did in his more than 26 years in the Air Force.
“He’s using his military experience for his campaign and no one can tell you what he did except he did [information technology],’’ Allen said. “It’s kind of out there. There are questions, questions, questions about him.”
In response, Johnson said, “I find [the comments] insulting and disparaging.”
Johnson provided copies of several of his military records, including his discharge papers, to The Vindicator that show he served at Air Force bases throughout the country, including Arizona, Alabama, Mississippi, Colorado and Florida, receiving a variety of medals and honors.
“Allen’s questions regarding the validity of my military service should, therefore, raise serious questions as to his maturity, his knowledge of military affairs, and to his lack of professional judgment,” Johnson said.
Allen spent about 20 years in the military, four years on active duty in the Air Force, one year in the Army Reserves, and the rest in the Air Force Reserves. He plans to retire later this month.
Richard D. Stobbs of Dillonvale, the other Republican in the May 4 primary for this congressional district, said: “I’m not questioning his service.”
Stobbs served 19 months in the Army, 14 of them in Vietnam.
When told that Johnson provided information about his military background to The Vindicator, Allen said, “I’m glad he revealed what he’s done.”
Allen questioned what Johnson, a retired lieutenant colonel, meant when he said he “sent our nation’s young people into harm’s way.”
“I thought only generals did that,” Allen said.
Johnson said he “made numerous decisions to deploy members of my unit to locations where the United States was actively involved in combat missions.” He specifically mentioned that in 1996 he deployed two members of his communications unit to Saudi Arabia, and one was injured in a blast in support of combat operations.
“I am extremely offended that anyone would question the validity of my military service,” he said.
The 6th Congressional District is represented by Charlie Wilson, a Democrat from St. Clairsville. Wilson faces a Democratic primary challenge from Jim Renner of North Benton.
Also, Libertarian Martin J. Elsass of Columbiana and Richard E. Cadle, a Constitution Party candidate, are running in the November general election.
No independent candidates have filed yet. They have until May 3 to do so.
The 12-county district that stretches along eastern Ohio includes all of Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County.