O’Brien has earned nomination for a third term in Ohio House

When considering experience, service and accomplishments, thoughtful voters in the Democratic primary for the 63rd District seat in the Ohio House have a clear choice in the May 6 primary. In his four years in the Ohio General Assembly, state Rep. Sean O’Brien of Bazetta, D-63rd, has earned the trust and respect of his constituents and deserves re-nomination for his third term. We therefore endorse him without reservations.

The thoughtful and high-energy legislator has approached his work with public-spirited gusto. He’s produced tangible results that have worked to decrease the jobless rate and increase the quality of life in his district.

His primary aim, as it should be, has focused squarely on economic development in his sizeable slice of the Mahoning Valley. For example, his bill to provide tax credits to spur development of converted natural gas as an alternative fuel has potential for significant job creation as well as environmental protection.

O’Brien also has played an instrumental role in bringing in industry, including TMK Premium Production, a Russian-based pipe-threading operation, to Brookfield. The plant continues to expand to meet demands of the burgeoning oil and natural-gas drilling industry in the region. O’Brien also has worked with BP in helping to secure more than $300 million to district property owners for that mammoth company’s exploration activities.

Currently he’s working with other lawmakers to ensure a fair and meaningful severance tax is applied to oil and natural-gas drilling and, more importantly, to ensure that revenue from those taxes is returned to the 63rd District and other communities where the most active drilling in the state takes place. Those funds are critically needed by local governments to compensate for the loss of other state revenue and to ensure infrastructure damage caused by drilling gets speedy and thorough repair.

VISIBLE SERVICE OUTSIDE COLUMBUS

Outside of the Statehouse, O’Brien has his feet planted firmly on the ground in his district. The proud Irish-American ranks among the most visible state legislators in local commitment and leadership. He has used his time outside of the capital to serve as a community leader for such diverse groups as Someplace Safe domestic-violence shelter, Inspiring Minds, teen drug-abuse awareness programs and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. His close ties with air base leaders give the Valley installation a strong and knowledgeable voice in Columbus, a voice it will need as the U.S. military continues on its path of downsizing.

Challenging O’Brien for the Democratic nomination is Marianne James of Niles. James articulately takes aim at significant weaknesses in Ohio’s public-education policies and funding. As a teacher for over 25 years who has served on the Fairhaven Board of Developmental Disabilities, she is keenly in tune with the problems public schooling faces and is armed with some viable ideas to solve them.

Seeking a seat on a local, county or state board of education, however, might serve as a better starting point for her career in elected public service. Unlike O’Brien, James lacks knowledge of the intricacies of Statehouse operations and likely would find it more difficult to hit the ground running in Columbus.

Clearly O’Brien’s experience, achievements and wide legislative focus have earned him the Democratic nomination. A victory for him May 6 would result in a general-election matchup against Republican Devon A. Stanley of Girard.