Primary draws interesting filings

December 22, 2023

There were a number of interesting filings in Mahoning and Trumbull counties for the March 19, 2024, primary as well as some noted races in which a political party opted not to field a candidate. An open congressional seat usually attracts a lot of candidates. But, only three Republicans and two Democrats filed for the position that U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson will relinquish to become Youngstown State University president. Johnson, a Republican who just relocated from Marietta to Canfield, will resign by early March. The 6th Congressional District favors Republicans by 18% based on ...

Loychik’s Second Amendment bill stalls

December 15, 2023

Despite opposition from police chiefs and county prosecutors organizations, a bill sponsored by state Rep. Mike Loychik to prohibit local and state law enforcement from enforcing federal firearms laws or regulations looked like it was going to pass the Ohio House this month. That was the consensus a few weeks ago. But things have significantly changed since then, and the bill finds itself in limbo largely because some of Loychik’s fellow Republicans have concerns about it. Called the Second Amendment Preservation Act, the bill was approved Nov. 15 along party lines by the Ohio House ...

Not-close races questioned

December 8, 2023

Two Mahoning Valley political candidates who lost their elections — one by 48.8% and the other by 10.28% — are raising questions about the outcomes. By disputing the elections’ validity, despite double-digit defeats, the local candidates are reflecting what we’ve seen nationwide since Donald Trump filed dozens of unsuccessful lawsuits and used other failed tactics after losing the 2020 presidential election. While every candidate has the right to challenge election outcomes to their fullest extent, these attempts seem like efforts to shake trust in the process. In one case, ...

Race is on to replace Johnson

November 30, 2023

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson’s plan to resign his House seat in February or early March to become Youngstown State University president would open a safe Republican seat for which state Sen. Michael Rulli is seen as an early favorite. Rulli, R-Salem, filed a declaration of candidacy and created a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission, which allows him to start raising money for the race. Rulli said Thursday he is scheduling a date and time for an official announcement. Dec. 20 is the deadline for candidates to file for the full two-year position on the March 19, 2024, ...

Johnson criticized higher education

November 23, 2023

While U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson isn’t the first Republican selected as Youngstown State University president, he is a partisan conservative who has served in Congress for 13 years. Johnson, R-Marietta, faced criticism by alumni, students and faculty for his politics including opposing gay marriage, being anti-choice, supporting immigration restrictions, challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election and for his professional background that doesn’t include any higher education experience. Johnson voted 96.8% with former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and only 20.2% ...

How Issue 1 won

November 17, 2023

Voters in Mahoning and Trumbull counties backed Issue 1, the abortion rights constitutional amendment, at essentially the same percentages as it received statewide. Mahoning and Trumbull were among 23 counties ä including the most-populous ones ä that voted in favor of the issue. The issue lost in Ohio's other 65 counties, but several of them have populations smaller than the city of Youngstown. It's like a presidential candidate winning Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Delaware, and losing California, New York and Texas. In Mahoning and Trumbull, Issue 1 had its biggest wins ...