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David Skolnick

Not-close races questioned

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 ...

The race is on to replace Bill Johnson in Congress

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 ...

YSU President-elect Johnson criticized higher education

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 ...

How Issue 1 won

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 ...

Abortion to factor in senate race

When Ohio Republican leaders put a constitutional amendment on an Aug. 8 special election ballot to raise the threshold to pass future amendments from a simple majority to at least 60% of voters rather than a simple majority, it was largely to stop an abortion rights proposal from ...

Issue 2 gets minimal attention

Backers of state Issue 2 to legalize the adult-use of recreational marijuana have implemented a low-key campaign strategy rather than draw voter attention to the proposal. Opponents to the issue also don’t seem that motivated to get out their message. It’s an unusual strategy, but ...