Warren mayoral candidates trade barbs

Jim Graham said today his Democratic primary campaign for Warren mayor has left him “disillusioned with Mahoning Valley politics.”

But Graham said that he doesn’t regret running for the seat.

Graham criticized city Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin, his opponent in Tuesday’s primary, and outgoing Mayor Michael O’Brien. O’Brien supports Franklin’s candidacy.

“Everything they’ve been doing the past two weeks has been political,” said Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112 union at the Lordstown General Motors complex. “More’s been done in the last” two weeks than the seven-plus years of O’Brien’s administration.

“It’s laughable,” Franklin said of Graham’s statements. “It sounds like a candidate grasping for straws. The whole campaign, we’re focused on solutions, the city and the people. My opponent is focused on me.”

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