-
Login
-
Digital Edition
-
Print Edition
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Canfield lawyer, 29, to replace Boccieri
TweetDemocratic Party chairmen in Mahoning and Stark counties are disappointed.
YOUNGSTOWN — The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus selected a 29-year-old attorney, who’s practiced law for about three years and has no political experience, as a state senator.
The caucus unanimously selected Joe Schiavoni, of Canfield, on Thursday to replace outgoing state Sen. John Boccieri in the 33rd Ohio Senate District.
The district’s largest county in terms of population, by far, is Mahoning. It also includes all of Carroll County and portions of Stark and Tuscarawas counties.
Schiavoni beat out 12 other candidates interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday by the caucus’s leadership team.
Of the other 12 candidates, six are current or former elected officials.
While there were many strong candidates and the decision was difficult, Schiavoni stood out as the best, said incoming Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, of Liberty, D-32nd, who was in charge of the selection process.
“I want to invest in the future of the Mahoning Valley,” she said. “He has the roots in the community. He’s an attorney who helps working people, he’s highly electable, and he’ll represent the district well. He has a commitment to serve that makes him a great public servant.”
Cafaro and Schiavoni said they first met each other during the interview process for this job.
“I have the least connection to Joe Schiavoni” of any of the 13 candidates, Cafaro said.
Schiavoni’s father, Louis, is an attorney, and his grandfather, Joe, was a civil service leader in Youngstown and was a longtime friend of ex-state Senate President Harry Meshel.
Meshel as well as Bruce Zoldan, a prominent local businessman, and Kenneth A. Carano, the governor’s regional director for the Mahoning Valley, supported the appointment of Schiavoni.
Schiavoni said a combination of a “strong family in the area and my ability to relate to people” got him the appointment.
“They want someone energetic,” he said. “I know I have a lot to learn.”
Ex-Mahoning County Commissioner David Engler, the No. 1 pick of Mahoning County Democrats for the seat, criticized the selection.
“In a fiscal crisis and a time when Ohio is hemorrhaging jobs, Sen. Cafaro handpicked a friend with no experience to do the difficult work of the people,” he said.
Mahoning County Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini also called Schiavoni “the handpicked candidate of Sen. Cafaro.”
The caucus had asked the four counties in the 33rd District to recommend up to three candidates to replace Boccieri.
But after the recommendations were made, the caucus members, not pleased with its choices, reopened the process and asked candidates to apply directly to them.
The Mahoning Democratic executive committee recommended, in order, Engler, Struthers Councilman at large Daniel Yemma and Poland Trustee Robert Lidle.
Because of Engler’s and Lidle’s past legal problems, some caucus members were concerned about the selection.
“I’m disappointed the caucus ignored the process they created,” Antonini said. “This is an individual our local party hasn’t even met. We’d like to put a face with a name.”
Antonini said she didn’t know anything about Schiavoni until a reporter from The Vindicator told her about him.
The Stark Democratic executive committee nominated only one candidate, Alliance Councilman at large Steve Okey.
Okey had little to say about the selection except to offer his congratulations to Schiavoni.
But Stark Democratic Chairman Johnnie Maier had a lot to say.
Maier complained about the lack of communication he received from the caucus, saying he had to rely on a reporter from The Vindicator for information about the process.
The 11-member caucus, which will add Schiavoni as its 12th member Jan. 5, “disrespected” the Democratic parties in all four counties with the appointment.
“Nobody knows him; I’m sure they’ll have great success in getting him elected” in 2010, Maier said with sarcasm. “There’s only 12 of them for a reason.”
Republicans outnumber Democrats 21-12 in the Senate.
skolnick@vindy.com
Comments
Let's get this right: The Democratic Party Leadership of Mahoning County spearheaded the reopening of the selection process by picking who they did(Engler, Lidle, Yemma).
Smoke screens and double-agents have become increasingly obvious here with this process and final selection.
And when did Kelly Pavlik the press manager for the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus? He made the announcement on WKBN-AM yesterday afternoon on Ron Vereb's show and it was obvious that Ron was creaming his pants.
Why wasn't Schiavoni in the running from the beginning? At 4:44PM on Am-WKBN, Capri Cafaro said that of all the candidates, she knew Joe Schiavoni THE LEAST! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha....
The new guard is the old guard.
ok, lets get this strait...attorney for 3 years, no government experience and capri just met him. I hope the electorate writes this one down and bring it out next time capri runs
This is the true problem with the Youngstown area. Once someone new is introduced you immediately degrate him/her until they do not want to be involved in saving the Valley any further.
Lets put someone with a criminal background back into office as soon as possible to live up to the inferior quality of service our representatives have given us over the years. Who knows ... maybe we can get the award for most political leaders in prison.
Give him a chance and stop the critizism.
IF, I say, IF it's true that Mr. Schiavoni has no ties to any established politicians or influence-wielders, than I say Good! A breath of fresh air would be welcome in this area where 'connections' are more important than qualifications.
And how I love reading Mr. Engler's petty and petulant little rant! Can you say "sore loser?"
Ms. Antonini, also, seems full of sour grapes. Mr. Maier of Stark county, too. Perhaps Ms. Cafaro and the rest of the caucus realizes the public has had enough of the kind of politics that gave us Engler, Antonini, and Maier.
I think it is terrific that the State Senate has selected a person of high character and someone who is in tune with the people he will represent. Just because others had more(or any) experience doesn't mean that should have been selected over Senator Schiavoni. Political experience, as we have seen, isn't necessarily an indication of political success.
Senator Schiavoni will bring a fresh outlook to his new position. He has not been jaded by the political process and will be able to focus on what is important....the people in his district.
Good luck, Senator Schiavoni. I'm positive that you will do an excellent job for the 330,000+ constituents that you now represent.
Anon. Lawyer wrote: "Senator Schiavoni will bring a fresh outlook to his new position. He has not been jaded by the political process and will be able to focus on what is important....the people in his district."
Thank you for posting here, Atty. Schiavoni. Oh, before I forget, why weren't you in the running from the get-go?
To Tugboat:
This is not Sen. Schiavoni. I am simply someone who thinks that he should be given a fair chance by those in your district. A fresh outlook cannot be a bad thing. Give him a chance and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The others in the running may have had political backgrounds, but brought nothing new to the table. Sen. Schiavoni brings what is important and that is doing what is in the best interests of the people in his district.
Congrats to Joe Schiavoni. Not only are you unsullied but you are also young and a new generation that this area desperately needs to hear. Unfortunately, Ms. Antonini hasn't done the Gen X'ers in town justice but Sciavoni can herald in a new era. It takes time and belief in ourselves to change but this area can do it. We have a great mayor, got rid of Mark Dann (although he has a way of coming back like a bad taste in one's mouth), hope to get rid of Antonini (then, maybe someone decent can run for Treasurer - I hate that her hands are on our county's money) and little by little can create a new Youngstown with a positive image (not soley based on sports & football).
SO
I think this was a good move. Afresh face and fresh start.