Dems to pick candidate for county board of elections today

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras made an unsuccessful last-ditch effort today to convince the secretary of state to seat him on the county board of elections.

Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, declined Monday to honor the county Democrat executive committee’s recommendation to have Betras serve the rest of a term on the board. That term expires Feb. 29, 2012.

The executive committee is to meet at 4:30 p.m. today to recommend a candidate for the unexpired term.

Betras is supporting George Beelen, a retired Youngstown State University history professor and former 12-year Austintown trustee, for the seat. The committee is expected to support the recommendation.

Husted cited Betras’ “wrongful conduct” as treasurer for ex-Attorney General Marc Dann’s transition account. He also wrote in a letter to Betras that the chairman was “not competent” to serve on the board.

During their one-hour meeting in Columbus, Betras gave Husted several letters, including one from Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains.

In the letter, Gains wrote that he and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron J. O’Brien, who convicted Dann on two misdemeanor ethics charges, concluded that Betras “had not engaged in any illegal activity.”

Betras said he hopes Husted will consider the information if the chairman decides to seek a full four-year term on the county board of elections next year.

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