Betras wins top state honor

By Denise Dick

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Atty. David Betras was honored Saturday as the County Democratic Party Chairman of the Year for Ohio.

“I didn’t even know about it,” said Betras, Mahoning County’s Democratic Party chairman. “It was a total shock.”

While attending the state party’s annual fund-raising dinner at the Columbus Convention Center, Betras was approached by a man who escorted him to the stage.

Betras received a plaque naming him Ohio Democratic Party Chairman of the Year.

“I was beyond shocked,” he said.

Betras said he doesn’t know what criteria was used in selecting him for the award.

“It really is an acknowledgement of this area and what we’ve always done for Democrats,” he said.

Tim Kaine, former Virginia governor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was the evening’s keynote speaker. Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher also attended.

“It was nice and a really nice honor,” Betras said. “It really goes out to all the people here. I think we’re getting the recognition we’ve long deserved for supporting Democrats.”