Saturday, July 5, 2008

DISCUSSION: SWANSON V. DORDEA - WHO WILL BE STARK COUNTY'S SHERIFF COME 11/4/2008 - INSTALLMENT #2


More than any other elected Stark County Democrat, Sheriff Tim Swanson has a bi-politico.

Bi-politico?

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) coins this word to describe a political person who goes either way politically in what is perceived to be to his best advantage.

Swanson supported Republican attorney general candidate Betty Montgomery, has supported Kirk Schuring (by going to at least one of his fundraisers prior to announcing for the 16th District congressional race, was behind Republican Gary Willen when he ran for a Carroll County Common Pleas judgeship. told Democrat candidate for commissioner Todd Bosley that he was comfortable with Republican Richard Regula and on and on goes the list of Republicans that Swanson either openly supported or maintained a public neutrality on when the Republican ran for office.

Swanson has drawn the ire of a number of Democrats for his being bi-politico. For instance, former chairman Roy Gutierrez refuses to speak to Swanson when their paths cross at party functions. Stark County Democratic chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr has admonished Swanson for his willingness to openly support Republicans.

Go to a Swanson fundraiser sometime. See how many Republicans are there.

The Report has gone over Swanson's checkered political past to pose this question.

Why are the Republicans picking on Swanson in this election? Of all the races that are going on in Stark County, this one between Swanson and Republican Dordea is one of the more competitive this election year. Has it been a bad choice by Swanson to be bi-politico?

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