O’Brien is Dems’ best bet to retain state Senate seat

It’s no big secret that the Mahoning Valley often has been denied a seat at the table of of political power brokering because our super-Democratic majority clashes with the hyper-Republican makeup of the General Assembly and the state administration. Nor is it a secret that the 3-C corridor of major population areas of Ohio – Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati – too often gets a disproportionate share of attention and perks because of its concentrated political clout.

With those two strikes against us, it becomes critically important for voters in the 32nd state Senate District dominated by Trumbull County to elect a candidate with a proven acumen to work across party lines and a demonstrated track record of results and constituent service.

In the March 15 Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by veteran Capri Cafaro, only one candidate meets those rigid qualifications – state Rep. Sean O’Brien, D-63rd of Bazetta.

O’Brien is completing his third two-year term this year in the Ohio House of Representatives. In strategically planning his political future, bypassing a shot at a fourth and final House term by seeking the Senate seat “seemed like the next logical step,” he told The Vindicator Editorial Board. We agree and argue that his record and demeanor merit a chance at promotion by winning his party’s nomination 10 days from now.

The witty and high-energy legislator has worked hard toward jump-starting the economy in his district and the state. For example, his legislative initiatives to provide tax credits to spur development of converted natural gas as an alternative fuel has potential for significant job creation. O’Brien also played a key role in bringing new industry, such as the TMK factory to Brookfield.

In addition, his close ties with leaders of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna give the base a strong and knowledgeable voice in Columbus. O’Brien is now involved in a promising campaign to purchase the former air cargo building at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and convert it into what would become one of only a handful of embarkation/debarkation terminals in the nation for troop deployments.

He recently led Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, the powerful speaker of the Ohio House, on a tour of the airbase to impress upon him its stature and importance to the economy and livelihood of our region.

Airbase’s future

Such allies in high places can only help the airbase prosper and keep it off the chopping block in the next round of base realignments and closures. O’Brien’s aptitude for establishing bipartisan working relationships has also served his constituents well in other areas.

His ties with Republican leaders of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency made it easy for him to seek and receive prompt assistance when a massive oil spill sullied Vienna Township last year. His associations with Republican leaders of various health and law-enforcement agencies paid off in excellent planning and execution in Trumbull County of the largest and multi-faceted heroin sting in the state last May. The Warren SHIELD offensive also included counseling and diversion to treatment programs.

His opponent, a relative newcomer to politics, is Kristen Rock, an attorney from Liberty. She has served on the Liberty Local School District’s Financial Oversight Commission. A major focus of hers is improving Ohio’s public schools and ensuring equity for students statewide. She also wants strengthened oversight of charter schools.

Those are noble goals, but they also are goals shared by O’Brien.

Rock also suggests her challenger curries favor with special interest groups, particularly the oil and gas industry. A realistic review of the state representative’s record shows that he has been involved in legislation to more tightly regulate the drilling and injection-well industries. In crafting it, he has involved township leaders, residents and industry officials to produce realistic yet meaningful controls.

Rock nonetheless enunciates some clear and viable priorities and a sincere commitment to public service. Against a lesser challenger, she would merit more serious consideration. But in this two-person race, O’Brien clearly emerges as Democrats’ best bet to retain the 32nd District seat in November.

In the general election, Republican Robert Allen will face the winner of the Democrat primary. Allen is unopposed in the GOP primary.