A Youngstown Mayoral Candidate Said the Democratic Nominee Is Paranoid. YOUNGSTOWN -- Democrat Robert F. Hagan said "right-wing extremists are targeting" him in today's Youngstown mayoral election by supporting one of his opponents. Jay Williams, the opponent in question, said Hagan is paranoid. "I don't know if it's pressure or desperation on his part," Williams, an independent candidate, said of Hagan. Surrounded by fellow Democrats at his campaign headquarters Monday, Hagan displayed a chart that ties Williams to people he described as right-wing extremists. They include Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, a 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate, and David Zanotti, head of the conservative Ohio Roundtable. [continues 622 words]
The Six Candidates Participated in a Radio Debate Friday. YOUNGSTOWN -- A newly formed political organization mailed more than 8,000 fliers to city residents opposing the election of Robert F. Hagan as mayor. The organization, New Vision Youngstown, also is airing television commercials critical of Hagan, a state senator and the Democratic mayoral nominee in Tuesday's election. The flier includes only the group's name, something Hagan says violates state law. State law requires organizations, such as New Vision Youngstown, to also include the name of a committee officer and street address on fliers, said James Lee, spokesman for the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. [continues 659 words]
The Four Independents Participated in a Forum. YOUNGSTOWN -- More than 100 members of the local clergy and a conservative political action committee are supporting the mayoral candidacy of Jay Williams. The Liberty Committee of Independence, Ohio, paid for 10,000 fliers that compare Williams to Democrat Robert F. Hagan on "sanctity of life" and "drug policy" issues. The flier doesn't specifically endorse Williams, but the back lists Williams' job experience, education and affiliation and board memberships. The handbill states Williams "believes in the sanctity of all human life," supports a ban on partial-birth abortions and is against abortion on demand except for rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. [continues 717 words]
