U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is backing Robert F. Hagan’s candidacy for state Democratic chairman

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Outgoing state Rep. Robert F. Hagan’s effort to be the next chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party received a boost with the support of Tim Ryan, one of the political party’s four U.S. House members.

Ryan of Howland, D-13th, is backing Hagan’s campaign.

The party’s 148-member executive committee will meet Dec. 16 in Columbus to select a replacement for Chairman Chris Redfern who said Nov. 4, after his party suffered one of its worst statewide defeats, that he would resign.

Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, received the support of Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras on Nov. 15 when Hagan announced his candidacy.

Ryan and Betras are on the state party’s executive committee.

Hagan, one of the state’s most-prominent liberals, wrote in a letter Wednesday to committee members that the party’s “problem is [its] message is bankrupt of ideas.”

There are a half-dozen candidates for the seat. Sharen Neuhardt, the party’s failed lieutenant governor candidate in last month’s election, is being supported for the post by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland.