Tarpley’s experience counts in 58th House District race

There are four candidates seek- ing the Democratic Party nomination for the 58th Ohio House District seat, but only one has run for public office and won: Janet Tarpley.

Tarpley is serving her second four-year term as the councilwoman in Youngstown’s 6th Ward. The lawmaker, who has a bachelor of science degree in general studies from Youngstown State University, is director of Parent Project for the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

The 58th District encompasses all of Youngstown, Struthers, Campbell, Lowellville and Coitsville, and 36 of Austintown’s 40 precincts.

There are three other candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in the May 6 primary:

Michele Lepore-Hagan, wife of the current state representative, Robert F. Hagan. Lepore-Hagan, who is director of the Performing Arts Series in YSU’s College of Creative Arts and Communications, has a bachelor of fine arts in dance degree from Ohio University.

Cynthia McWilson, a registered nurse, has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Kent State University; an associate degree in respiratory care from YSU; a bachelor of science degree in combined sciences from YSU.

Michael O’Hara, a permanent substitute teacher in the Howland Local School District, has master’s and bachelor’s of science degrees from YSU.

Only Lepore-Hagan has not run for elected office before. However, her husband has been a state representative or state senator since 1987. He is prohibited by term limits from seeking a fifth consecutive, two-year term in the Ohio House.

Voters would not be wrong in concluding that Hagan has paved the way politically for his wife’s candidacy — as evidenced by the endorsement of the Democratic Party and of various labor organizations. Robert Hagan is an unwavering Democrat and staunch supporter of organized labor.

But this election is not about family and political connections. Rather, it’s about the 58th District having the best representation in Columbus. Whoever wins the Democratic Party nomination will, for all intents and purposes, be the next representative because there is no Republican candidate and the chances of an independent— the filing deadline is May 5 — winning are slim.

In arriving at our endorsement of Tarpley, members of The Vindicator’s editorial board evaluated the candidates on the basis of their answers to questions contained in a survey form and the way they performed in the interview segment. The interviews were conducted by editors and writers.

A news story by Politics Writer David Skolnick published Sunday provided details about each candidate’s position on issues such as oil and gas exploration through the use of horizontal fracturing (or fracking), state funding for public education and the state’s biennium budget that has resulted in a reduction in the Local Government Fund.

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Voters can view the editorial board interviews on the newspaper’s website, Vindy.com.

Our evaluation of Tarpleywas based on her work with the juvenile court — juvenile crime is a major problem in the district — and her being on the front lines of the city of Youngstown’s battle against the wear-and-tear that is common in older urban communities. Indeed, Austintown, Campbell, Struthers, Lowellville and Coitsville all have aging neighborhoods, a large number of senior citizens and job- creation challenges.

We believe that Tarpley has the knowledge and experience to clearly define the problems confronting the 58th District, and will have success in working with the Republican majority in the House.

The Vindicator urges Democratic voters to set aside whatever preconceived notions they may have about politics and make a decision May 6 that’s in the best interest of all the people of the district.

Janet Tarpley has our support.