Graham, Franklin close in spending

By Ed Runyan | June 11, 2011 at 12:04a.m.

Girard judge race proved most costly

WARREN

Though it looked back in April as if labor leader Jim Graham might spend a lot more on his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the Warren mayor’s race than Safety-service Director Doug Franklin, the newest campaign finance reports show otherwise.

Graham spent only $4,745 more.

Franklin, safety-service director for 71/2 years and longtime city council member, spent $33,734 between April 14 and June 3, bolstered by $27,318 in new contributions. He spent $51,072 on the campaign.

Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 at GM Lordstown, spent less — $24,986 — between April 14 and June 3 on contributions of $9,575. He spent $55,817 in all.

Franklin defeated Graham for the nomination, 53 percent to 47 percent, and is likely to take office next year. He has no Republican opponent, and only a write-in candidate could keep him from moving across the hall at City Hall to Mayor Michael O’Brien’s office.

Franklin had only a few contributions of at least $1,000 — $1,000 from the Youngstown-Warren Black Caucus, $1,000 from Michelina Cantalamessa of Warren, and $1,000 from Patrice Kovas of Warren.

Graham received the following contributions of at least $1,000 : $1,500 from Louis G. Berroteran of Silver Lake, Ohio; $1,000 from Ted E. Bloom of Warren; $2,500 from Janet Cafaro of Hubbard; and $1,000 from the United Auto Workers CAP Council in Maumee, Ohio.

The mayor’s race in Girard was not nearly as expensive, as incumbent James Melfi spent $11,687 to defeat challenger Myron Esposito, who spent $9,051.

Melfi raised $2,250 and spent $4,765 from April 14 to June 3, while Esposito raised $1,600 and spent $2,903 over that time.

The Girard Municipal Court race pitting five local attorneys against one another to replace Judge Michael Bernard was the most expensive race in the county, with Atty. Mark Finamore spending $89,130 to finish second to Atty. Jeff Adler, who spent $46,528.

Finamore, who reported paying $22,000 to Liberty marketing company Rubinstein Associates for election services prior to April 14, paid an additional $25,650 to the company between April 14 and June 3, his campaign finance report says.

Finamore’s campaign received loans of $7,500 from Finamore’s mother, $12,000 from his aunt and $11,500 from his own funds.

Another candidate for the position, Rebecca Gerson, spent $16,760, while candidate Marty Hume spent $50,135.