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Political newcomer seeks to unseat Gerberry after 40 years
YOUNGSTOWN
State Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry, a Democrat who’s served continuously in elected office for more than 40 years, including nearly 27 in the Ohio House, is seeking re-election this fall to his current seat.
Standing in Gerberry’s way of another two-year term representing the 59th House District is Republican Paul D. Mitchell of Canfield, who’s never run before for political office.
Because of state term limits, this will be the last time Gerberry, 61, of Austintown, can run for his position until 2018, but he says that’s unlikely.
If re-elected, Gerberry said, “There may not be anything for me. Never say never. I’m not closing doors, but I’m not planning my next step.”
Based on Gerberry’s election record — winning 17-straight elections — it’s going to be challenging for Mitchell to beat him.
Gerberry paints a bleak picture of the state Legislature.
“We’ve created a General Assembly that mirrors the U.S. House of Representatives with every idea from the minority party is wrong and every idea from the majority party is right,” he said. “Unfortunately for the people of the state of Ohio, if things don’t change in relation to the balance of government, nothing is going to improve.”
Even so, Gerberry says he’s been effective in the Ohio House.
Gerberry was the joint lead sponsor on legislation that legalized video-slot machines at horse-racing tracks such as one that recently opened in his hometown of Austintown and was a key legislator in getting the Legislature to forgive a $4.75 million bill for delinquent taxes and penalties Youngstown owed on its Covelli Centre, and make the facility tax-exempt for as long as the city owns it.
“I’ve been able to get things done because I know the people in the Legislature and have been in the Legislature for many years,” he said.
Mitchell, 28, said: “I have seen decades of reckless spending by those in office on both sides of the aisle, and I cannot sit silently while my children and their generation continue to accrue debt for expenditures from which they will not benefit.”
Mitchell wants to lighten “the tax burden on low- and middle-income households, like mine, and create a friendlier environment for businesses who are looking to open doors in new places.”
To make the state more business-friendly, Mitchell said low and stable tax rates are needed along with minimal government interference and an educated and experienced workforce.
The 59th District includes Beaver, Berlin, Boardman, Canfield, Ellsworth, Goshen, Green, Jackson, Milton, Poland, Smith and Springfield townships; the city of Canfield; and the villages of Beloit, Craig Beach, New Middletown, Poland, Sebring, and four precincts in Austintown, including the one where Gerberry lives.