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David Skolnick

Tim Ryan poised for key House role

A recent announcement from a Gary, Ind., congressman that he wouldn’t seek re-election next year could result in a huge benefit to the Mahoning Valley. That Democratic congressman, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, heads the powerful House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee. It’s the largest appropriations subcommittee, with a $622 billion budget. Visclosky’s retirement means U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland — should he win re-election next year to his 10th two-year term — is poised to become defense’s vice chairman or possibly its chairman. Of course, the Democrats ...

Election preparation and interesting races

Because of deadlines, reporters write outlines of election stories before the results come in. That's what I did before Tuesday's election. Uncertain about what would happen in Youngstown's 7th Ward council seat, I wrote two scenarios for the city council article. I wrote that it was a Democrat sweep with the assumption that Councilwoman Basia Adamczak won in the 7th Ward and another with Donald P. Scott becoming the first independent council candidate to be elected in 24 years. Instead, there was a tie. A tie? A tie! When I received the results at the Mahoning County Board ...

Money plays major role in races

“Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” While Tuesday’s election is a relatively low-key one — particularly when you consider the presidential election is next year — the amount of money in some of the local elections in the Mahoning Valley is noteworthy. The most expensive race in Mahoning County is for Youngstown Municipal Court judge. All three of the candidates seeking the six-year term loaned considerable amounts of money to their campaigns. Leading the way is Martin Hume, an assistant county prosecutor who won the Democratic primary in May. As of Oct. 16, Hume ...

Valley hopefuls rev up for 2020

I’m not trying to look past this election, but with the 2020 primary moved to March 17 because of the presidential race, the filing deadline for next year is right around the corner. Dec. 18 is the deadline for those wanting to run in the primary. That gives Republicans and Democrats less than eight weeks to turn in nominating petitions. In both Mahoning and Trumbull counties, there are elections for two county commissioners, prosecutor, recorder, treasurer, coroner, engineer, sheriff in addition to judicial seats. In Mahoning, there are three common pleas seats as well as domestic ...

Long-shot Ryan plays long game

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has a plan for his presidential bid, but does his long-shot campaign have momentum to last? As long as Ryan’s campaign stays lean and he doesn’t burn through his limited funds, he can remain in the race. But surviving is not an effective way to run for president of the United States. He desperately needs to grow his campaign, and so far, he hasn’t shown signs of that. He recently made a solid addition hiring Dennis Willard to handle communications. But that’s not a permanent hire, and Ryan’s communications department has changed hands numerous times in its ...

O’Rourke listens in Lordstown then goes after Trump

Beto O’Rourke came to Lordstown to listen. It wasn’t a typical campaign stop for a presidential candidate, particularly one who is lagging in the polls and needs the attention. But the former Texas congressman scored a few points — though he’s likely to be out of the campaign by the time Ohio has its Democratic primary, March 17, 2020. An idled General Motors plant makes an excellent backdrop — and O’Rourke went to two of them in Ohio. The first was Tuesday in West Chester and then to Lordstown the following day. O’Rourke spent his time in Lordstown listening to ...