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Primary election field taking shape
On the side
Setting the record straight: Here’s a clarification from my last column (which ran Dec. 19; I was on vacation the next two weeks) about U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and what he did on behalf of the statewide Democratic ticket that was crushed in the November election.
America Works, Brown’s political action committee, gave $5,000 annually, the maximum amount allowed from a federal PAC to a state party, in 2013 and 2014 to the party’s federal account. That money was for field operations such as registering voters, developing voter lists, providing sample ballots and other get-out-the-vote activities.
In addition to sending contribution requests on behalf of the statewide candidates on the ballot to his extensive email list of backers, which I mentioned, Brown, a Democrat from Cleveland, also headlined at least two fund-raising events for each statewide candidate, and made numerous calls to donors on their behalf.
With the filing deadline for the May primary less than a month away, candidates are starting to emerge in several local races.
All seven Youngstown City Council seats are up for grabs this year. Because of the city’s term-limits law, Councilwomen Annie Gillam, D-1st, and Janet Tarpley, D-6th, along with Councilmen Paul Drennen, D-5th, and John R. Swierz, D-7th, cannot seek re-election this year.
Councilmen T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd; Nate Pinkard, D-3rd; and Mike Ray, D-4th, say they are seeking re-election.
Based on conversations I’ve had with current council members, other city officials and Mahoning County Democratic leaders — Republicans don’t usually have candidates in Youngstown council races and when they do, they’re not competitive — here’s what I know so far.
In the 1st Ward, Mike Write, a former Youngstown school board president who lost to Gillam in 2007, is running. Gillam said her husband, Artis, who served on council for the eight years prior to her succeeding him, will not run this year. He had previously said he was giving strong consideration to seeking the seat.
No one has stepped forward yet in the 2nd and 4th to challenge the incumbents.
In the 3rd Ward, Rick Alli, a former Youngstown police officer and ex-Attorney General Marc Dann’s chief of law enforcement operations for less than four months, is considering a challenge to Pinkard. Alli lost his job with the AG’s office after it was learned he was still getting paid by the city from his unused vacation and accumulated time — which made him an active payroll employee. Alli ran last year for Democratic precinct committee person in 3G and lost to Gail Waters 36 to 22.
When Drennen was re-elected four years ago, he beat five challengers in the Democratic primary. At least two of them — former two-term Councilman Michael Rapovy, who finished third in 2011, and Kevin E.J. Salata, who finished fifth — are looking at potential bids this year. Also, Jeff Limbian, a former city law director and prosecutor, may run.
In the 6th, possible candidates include Anita Davis, a retired Youngstown police officer, and Jackie Spann-Menton, a precinct committee member.
The 7th Ward is attracting the most interest. I already wrote about Joe Rafidi, a former attorney, seeking the post. Others interested include Chris Travers, who lost the council president’s race two years ago; Michael O’Hara, a precinct committee member who lost the Democratic primary for the 58th Ohio House District last year and has unsuccessfully run a number of other times for various seats; John Vivo, a precinct committee member and former county party secretary; and Basia Adamczak, a precinct committee member.
Meanwhile, in Niles, Ralph A. Infante, first elected mayor in 1991, will have his first primary opponent since 1999. Thomas A. Scarnecchia, a former 15-year councilman-at-large who also served four yeas as safety director, said he is running in the Democratic primary on a platform of improved accountability and credibility.
Niles, placed in fiscal emergency by the Ohio auditor, has had a series of financial problems in recent years, including deficits and a theft charge filed last year against an assistant treasurer accused of stealing $142,772 from the city, dating back to 2009. Infante requested a fiscal analysis to justify the state declaration, and has been cutting expenses.