Unless you live under a rock, you probably know that Dave Betras, the Democratic Party Central Committee’s choice to fill the vacant seat on the Board of Elections, was rejected by Jon Husted, Ohio Secretary of State. Husted cited Betras’ involvement with Mark Dann, the now disgraced former Ohio Attorney General as part of the reason for the rejection. Betras was his former law partner and campaign treasurer. The Central Committee was given a week to come up with a new nominee, or Husted will appoint a Democrat of his choosing to fill the slot.
Some strange bedfellows have popped up out of the woodwork. The Vindicator’s Bertram de Souza and former Mahoning County Republican Chairman Bill Binning jumped to Betras’ defense. On the other hand, many Dems as well as other residents of Mahoning County have quietly applauded the decision.
Dave Betras is a Youngstown original. Binning referred to him as Bombastic Dave. He certainly lived up to that reputation in his full frontal attack against the local Chamber of Commerce. The focus of his attacks was Tom Humphries, President of the Chamber, raising money for John Kasich in the last gubernatorial campaign. Of course, there was no objection when Humphries raised similar money for Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan. I have written several times that attacks on the local Chamber of Commerce in tough economic times was probably not a good idea, but nobody asked me.
In response to all of the above, Betras has taken a somewhat reserved public response stating that he is now considering options available to him, including a possible lawsuit and/or appeal of the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is controlled by Republicans…probably not a good idea.
I have known Dave Betras for many years. I ran against his father for Boardman Trustee too many years ago, and lost by a few hundred votes in a three way race. Dave has always been an interesting person, and the few times I dealt with him professionally, we got along well. He is a tough lawyer, but then again he is representative of how many of the lawyers practice law in Mahoning County.
He has been a tough Democratic Party Chairman. He has raised lots of money for lots for candidates at all levels of the political spectrum, from national all the way down to Board of Education. He is mentioned as a possible candidate for state party chairman, and has been awarded Democrat of the Year awards from the state party several times.
Maybe the problem is that he represents a different kind of politics. His style is Don Hanni-esque. No matter what you think of it, it apparently appeals to a certain strain of politics peculiar to the Mahoning Valley, a strain that produces a certain type of politician…think Jim Traficant. There is a reason why this area is called Little Chicago.
Unfortunately, the state is changing, and so is the Mahoning Valley. The steep decline in the population over the past 10 years has cost us two Congressional seats. We are now competing not with China or Korea, but with states like Texas, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, all right to work states with low taxes and limited state governments. As Ohio begins to reinvent itself, political attitudes are also beginning to change. While the dreamers envision a tech belt in Youngstown, the reality is that we are becoming a center for oil, gas, and coal production and are returning, to a degree, to our manufacturing roots. Except the rules are different!!!!
Folks who are still here tend to be more serious. They are entrepreneurs who have chosen to stay here against all odds, or are willing to pioneer into the areas of Marcellus and Utica shale development. The rewards are huge, and this Valley does not fully comprehend what is coming down the pike. But the folks in Columbus do, which is why you see so many Republican politicians continually visiting one of the strongest Democratic areas in the country. And maybe, just maybe, the Betras style is one that is becoming passé as the state and the Mahoning Valley move forward.
I don’t know the legalities of what happened with the Betras nomination. That will be a matter sorted out by people a lot smarter than me. But I do know that sometimes style does matter over substance, and perhaps Bombastic Dave isn’t what the doctor ordered for a Board that is traditionally low key and whose focus is fair elections.
On the other hand, don't be surprised to see the state Democratic Party choose him as its leader for the very attributes that may have contributed to his Board of Elections problems. There is only one question. Is Ohio ready for Bombastic Dave?
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