Prominent legislator to speak at rally

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Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in Ohio for the Nov. 7 election.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — A top-ranking Democratic congresswoman will be the main attraction at a rally next week in Youngstown for U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland's gubernatorial campaign.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles will speak at the Strickland rally at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Grace Evangelistic Temple Church on Shehy Street on the city's East Side.

An eight-term congresswoman, Waters serves in Democratic House leadership as a chief deputy whip and on the House Democratic Steering Committee. Steering determines committee assignments for House Democrats.

"Maxine Waters is a well-known leader and she's supportive of Ted's candidacy," said Keith Dailey, Strickland's campaign spokesman. "She's worked with him and supports him."

Strickland will not attend the rally.

Waters, who is black, is the former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and according to her Web site, "She has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color and the poor."

Polls show Strickland leading Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican nominee for governor. Most of the polls have Strickland with a double-digit lead.

Targeting black voters

As part of his campaign strategy, Blackwell, who is black, is seeking support from black religious leaders. Blackwell has said that during his other statewide races, he attracts the support of more than 40 percent of the black vote, even though blacks typically vote for Democrats.

Strickland, a former minister, is also targeting black voters. Strickland is holding a rally Tuesday in Columbus with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Michael Coleman, the city's mayor, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing & Cultural Arts Complex.

"It's pretty obvious both candidates are courting black voters," said William Binning, chairman of Youngstown State University's political science department. "The only way Blackwell can break out is if he's able to draw a substantial black vote. That's why Strickland is doing" events with black politicians.

Strickland, of Lisbon, is giving up his 6th Congressional District seat to run for governor. State Sen. Charlie Wilson, a St. Clairsville Democrat, is facing state Rep. Chuck Blasdel of East Liverpool in the 12-county 6th District race. Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County are in the district.

Commercial

Wilson is airing his first general election television commercial in the Youngstown market beginning Tuesday. The commercial, titled "Tracks," has Wilson walking on railroad tracks in front of an abandoned factory.

"These tracks used to take products made here in eastern Ohio all over the country. But now instead of being a symbol of our strong economy, these tracks lead to empty factories," Wilson says in the commercial.

Wilson said he'd oppose trade agreements in Congress that ship jobs oversees, and he'll fight to raise the minimum wage and create new jobs "to get eastern Ohio back on track."

Last day to register

Also, Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in Ohio for the Nov. 7 election.

Most county boards of elections are open late Tuesday. In Mahoning and Columbiana counties, the boards' offices are open until 9 p.m. Trumbull's board traditionally remains open late on the last day to register. The office was closed today for Columbus Day and no one could be reached to discuss this issue.

skolnick@vindy.com

Monday, October 9, 2006