U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson discusses future plans

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson said he has a difficult time accepting his loss to Republican Bill Johnson.

Losing was “much harder than I thought,” Wilson, D-6th, said Friday in his first media interview since that defeat more than a month ago. “It was very surreal. I never had anything like that happen. It was just shocking.”

Wilson of St. Clairsville had won every other political race he’s been in: four for the Ohio House, one for the state Senate and two for the U.S. House.

Wilson expected a close race with Johnson of Poland and to win by 5 percentage points to 7 percentage points. Instead, Johnson beat Wilson by 5 percentage points during the Nov. 2 election.

When his term is up at the end of the month, Wilson said he plans to return to St. Clairsville and work at his family businesses: a funeral home and a furniture store.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com