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Hagan, Okey facing rivals
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
A pair of Ohio House members who represent Mahoning County will face competition in the May 4 Democratic primary.
State Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown is being challenged by Don L. Hanni III, a former Youngstown school-board member, in the 60th Ohio House District primary.
State Rep. Mark Okey of Carrollton will run against Brian K. Simeone of Alliance in the 61st Ohio House District Democratic primary.
State Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, the other House member representing the county, doesn’t have a primary opponent.
Hagan, who’s served 23-plus years in the state Legislature, said his experience makes him the best candidate.
Hagan said he’s been heavily involved in the local, state and federal government partnerships in his district, particularly in downtown Youngstown.
To help the state’s shaky financial situation, Hagan is calling for the state to repeal a 21-percent income- tax cut for households earning at least $250,000 annually to generate about $1 billion annually in revenue.
Five years ago, the state implemented a 21-percent income tax cut, 4.2 percent each year. The state had to postpone the final 4.2 percent cut this year because of a near $1 billion budget deficit.
“I know it’s unpopular,” Hagan said of his repeal proposal. “But we can’t keep cutting.”
Hanni said he “would probably support” Hagan’s proposal but needs to look at it further.
Hanni said if he were elected to the Legislature, he would focus on expanding economics along the Mahoning River corridor.
Hanni also said he’d push for more regional cooperation.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Daniel R. Thimons of Struthers in the November general election.
The 60th District includes all of Youngstown, Struthers, Campbell, Lowellville, Coitsville and a portion of Austintown.
In the 61st District, Okey is seeking his third two-year term.
If re-elected, Okey’s top priorities are to balance the state’s budget “with fair consideration to all interested parties” and to support job creation through small-business incentives.
Simeone, who owns a small communications business, said he’s tired of big business “getting bailouts and tax breaks, and small business ... getting nothing.”
Simeone said he’d work to get small business the help needed to keep operating and growing.
The winner of the primary faces Republican Michael Foit of Amsterdam and Vaughn W. Stull of Urichsville, the Green Party candidate, in the November general election.
Stark County has the most residents in the 61st District that also takes in all of Carroll County and portions of Mahoning and Tuscarawas counties.
The Mahoning part includes Beaver, Springfield, Smith, Goshen and Green townships.
Two Democrats each are running in their party’s May 4 primary for the 60th and 61st Ohio House Districts. There is no Republican primary in either district. An (*) denotes the incumbent.
60TH DISTRICT
ROBERT F. HAGAN*
Age: 61.
Home: 562 Madera Ave., Youngs- town.
Education: An Ursuline High School graduate.
Employment: State legislator and CSX Railroad locomotive engineer.
Family: Wife, Michele; three daughters and two sons.
Priority: To continue the success of the last three years in focusing on job creation by developing strong partnerships with all branches of government. To focus on renewable energy opportunities for our manufacturing base.
DON L. HANNI III
Age: 62.
Home: 3295 Bears Den Road, Youngstown.
Education: Attended Youngstown State University; an Ursuline High School graduate.
Employment: Retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Family: Wife, Rhonda; two sons and two daughters.
Priority: Economic development especially along the Mahoning River. Passing legislation that will encourage regional government such as the consolidation of the county court system in Mahoning County.
61ST DISTRICT
MARK D. OKEY*
Age: 58.
Home: 460 Antigua Road S.W., Carrollton.
Education: A law degree from Ohio Northern; a bachelor of arts degree from Kent State University.
Employment: A state legislator.
Family: Wife, Kathleen; two daughters and a son.
Priority: To balance the next budget with fair consideration to all interested parties. To promote the creation of new jobs across the state. To keep our public education reform plan on schedule and funded.
BRIAN K. SIMEONE
Age: 39.
Home: 2154 Hedgewood Ave., Alliance.
Education: An associates degree of applied science from ETI Technical College; a Marlington High School graduate.
Employment: Owns B&K Communications, a communications business.
Family: Wife, Kelly; one daughter and one son.
Priority: Getting small business the help that is needed. Working to get people back to work. And the biggest thing is working for the people and giving them what they need.