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2 Valley Democrats endorse Brunner for U.S. Senate bid
YOUNGSTOWN — Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner finally received her first endorsements from Mahoning Valley political officials in her bid to be the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.
Trumbull County Democratic Party Chairman Christ Michelakis, the former county treasurer, and Niles Mayor Ralph A. Infante, the party’s vice chairman, are supporting Brunner over Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in the party’s May primary for Senate.
As members of the county board of elections, Michelakis and Infante said they’re “impressed” with the work Brunner does as secretary of state and are confident she would do a great job if elected to the Senate.
“She’s a go-getter who’s done great work as secretary of state,” Infante said. “She stays on top of things and works very hard.”
Michelakis, the elections board chairman, said he and Infante will campaign for Brunner in the Valley, a heavily Democratic region that could play a key role in the party’s primary.
The two plan to attend a press conference today with Brunner in Niles to discuss her ideas for specialized training programs that link two-year colleges and regional trade programs. The program would have a direct impact on the Valley, Sandy Theis, a campaign adviser, said.
The Trumbull County Democratic Party won’t endorse in the Senate race, Michelakis said.
“We only do local endorsements,” he said.
Brunner is pleased with the support, Theis said.
“Lee is kind of the established candidate and [Brunner] is the insurgent candidate with the ideas,” she said. “It’s always helpful when you get endorsements. We expect [Fisher] to have more endorsements and more money.”
Polls show Fisher and Brunner in a statistical dead-heat for the Democratic nomination.
Fisher has a long list of Valley politicians who’ve endorsed his candidacy for senator.
In just Trumbull County, politicians endorsing Fisher include U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th; state Rep. Tom Letson of Warren, D-64th; state Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th; Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien; and ex-Hubbard Mayor Arthur Magee.
“We’re proud of the support we’ve received from across the Valley, and Lee will continue to work his heart out to bring jobs to the region as he did when he worked to bring back the second shift at” the General Motors complex in Lordstown, said John Collins, a Fisher campaign spokesman.
skolnick@vindy.com