Event will honor Clarence Smith

July 24, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

YOUNGSTOWN

Prominent Ohio Republicans will attend an event next Saturday honoring Clarence Smith, who recently retired as Mahoning County GOP chairman after serving 12 years in that position.

The steak-fry event is hosted by the local Republican Party as a fundraiser.

But Mark Munroe, the new chairman, said any money raised is secondary to honoring Smith.

“This is a significant event for us to recognize Clarence for all he’s done for the party,” Munroe said. “He is recognized around the state for his support for Republican and conservative candidates in Ohio and around the nation.”

Smith, who opted in June not to seek re-election as party chairman, also retired as head of Compco Industries, a metal-stamping company.

He remains active in politics, serving on the county board of elections and as Mahoning County chairman of the Rob Portman for U.S. Senate campaign.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Youngstown Shrine Club’s pavilion on state Route 165 in North Lima.

Tickets are $50 each. To make reservations, call party headquarters at 330-629-7006. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday. About 250 people are expected to attend, Munroe said.

Those expected at the event include U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich; Ohio Supreme Court Justices Maureen O’Connor and Judith Ann Lanzinger; David Yost, the Republican auditor nominee; former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett; Youngstown State University President Cynthia E. Anderson; and Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams.

Williams is a Democrat, but Smith is a supporter dating back to Williams’ successful 2005 mayoral race as an independent. Smith contributed $20,000 to Williams’ campaign that year.

Also, Portman and Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel are taping video tributes to Smith.