Hanni files complaint against Betras

YOUNGSTOWN — Don L. Hanni III, running for a Democratic precinct committee seat, filed a complaint today with the Mahoning County Board of Elections contending party Chairman David Betras sent “false and misleading literature” to Democrats in various precincts in which there are contested races.

Betras and Kenneth A. Carano, the party’s executive vice chairman, said the complaint, filed Friday, has no merit.

At issue is campaign mailers stating certain committee candidates, including Hanni’s opponent, are “endorsed by the Mahoning County and Ohio Democratic Parties.”

The candidates were endorsed by the local party’s elections committee, and the state party approved the endorsement by permitting the local party to use its postage discount for the mailers, Betras said.

Hanni said Betras, vice chairman of the county board of elections, lied about the endorsements.

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