I have been thinking about the last few days today trying to figure out what happened election day and what it means. A friend of mine basically said these kinds of things happen for a reason, and I have received a number of phone calls giving encouragement. I am grateful for good friends and family. But I do not want to talk about the recent election results, but I rather want to talk about the future of the Mahoning Valley.
This election proves a relative unknown can stand up to the entrenched “old guard” of the area and have a decent showing. On November 3rd, you saw an unknown candidate come into a race of entrenched politicians and beat the incumbent and pull within 310 votes of the challenger who had 23 years of political experience. That is a damn good accomplishment for anyone in Mahoning County, especially for a Republican. Yes, Zarlenga won, but it was an embarrassing showing for someone who should have swept house. We lost by 13%, and given the precinct breakdowns (loss by 28 in one, loss by 40 in another, won by 37 in my own, and so forth), we have a much better idea how to approach things next time.
Dick McCarthy got the ball rolling though when he ran against Ron Gerberry, because Dick was a relative unknown in the 59th House District. The results were Gerberry 60% McCarthy 40%. In Mahoning County, that is good for any Republican. If McCarthy comes back to run, you will see that margin slip further in his favor.
The reality is the Democratic hold in this county is cracking. It is slow mind you, but it is cracking. There are subtle indicators and whispers of it (and it will never be conceded by anyone in the Democratic power structure), but I know it and I think they know it. Do you think it was a coincidence that my opponent who has been out of politics for six years suddenly had the urge to jump back in at her age?
A 24 year old Republican running in Mahoning County that has a strong education and who has been active in politics for almost six years locally? That is a terrifying notion to an older Democratic Party that is trying to hold on, and I have no doubt in my mind this probably played some kind of role in why we had three people in this race instead of two. And you can bet they are terrified of young and teenage Republicans too. They will never admit to it, but I know what they see, and they see a potential threat in the making if any younger Republicans step up.
For Republicans to make breakthroughs in Mahoning County, we need to start at the township, council, and school board levels. Period. We can put up county candidates and state representative candidates now until hell freezes over, but it is not going to make one damn difference if our people are not at the lower rungs of the political spectrum.
We need young people who are not entrenched in local politics. That is why I am absolutely thrilled there are Teenage Republicans and College Republicans. Even at those young ages, these people do know the score and have some good ideas. They are bright, energetic, and are not tainted like every other current officeholder who has been in power recently or from the past. To the old guard, that is another terrifying notion.
I am treating the Democratic power hold as a windshield. One small crack is all it will take to threaten the integrity of the windshield, and one or two bumps in the road can cause massive fractures and a complete shatter. A close Republican loss can give hope, and one or two Republican wins can fracture the Democratic machine beyond repair. It may take awhile to get there, but it is a lot closer than what you might think.
This election proves a relative unknown can stand up to the entrenched “old guard” of the area and have a decent showing. On November 3rd, you saw an unknown candidate come into a race of entrenched politicians and beat the incumbent and pull within 310 votes of the challenger who had 23 years of political experience. That is a damn good accomplishment for anyone in Mahoning County, especially for a Republican. Yes, Zarlenga won, but it was an embarrassing showing for someone who should have swept house. We lost by 13%, and given the precinct breakdowns (loss by 28 in one, loss by 40 in another, won by 37 in my own, and so forth), we have a much better idea how to approach things next time.
Dick McCarthy got the ball rolling though when he ran against Ron Gerberry, because Dick was a relative unknown in the 59th House District. The results were Gerberry 60% McCarthy 40%. In Mahoning County, that is good for any Republican. If McCarthy comes back to run, you will see that margin slip further in his favor.
The reality is the Democratic hold in this county is cracking. It is slow mind you, but it is cracking. There are subtle indicators and whispers of it (and it will never be conceded by anyone in the Democratic power structure), but I know it and I think they know it. Do you think it was a coincidence that my opponent who has been out of politics for six years suddenly had the urge to jump back in at her age?
A 24 year old Republican running in Mahoning County that has a strong education and who has been active in politics for almost six years locally? That is a terrifying notion to an older Democratic Party that is trying to hold on, and I have no doubt in my mind this probably played some kind of role in why we had three people in this race instead of two. And you can bet they are terrified of young and teenage Republicans too. They will never admit to it, but I know what they see, and they see a potential threat in the making if any younger Republicans step up.
For Republicans to make breakthroughs in Mahoning County, we need to start at the township, council, and school board levels. Period. We can put up county candidates and state representative candidates now until hell freezes over, but it is not going to make one damn difference if our people are not at the lower rungs of the political spectrum.
We need young people who are not entrenched in local politics. That is why I am absolutely thrilled there are Teenage Republicans and College Republicans. Even at those young ages, these people do know the score and have some good ideas. They are bright, energetic, and are not tainted like every other current officeholder who has been in power recently or from the past. To the old guard, that is another terrifying notion.
I am treating the Democratic power hold as a windshield. One small crack is all it will take to threaten the integrity of the windshield, and one or two bumps in the road can cause massive fractures and a complete shatter. A close Republican loss can give hope, and one or two Republican wins can fracture the Democratic machine beyond repair. It may take awhile to get there, but it is a lot closer than what you might think.
All we need is a little momentum, and you will see it soon.
The Mang
Conservative Capo of Youngstown and Future Canfield Trustee Candidate in 2011
The Mang
Conservative Capo of Youngstown and Future Canfield Trustee Candidate in 2011
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