The SCPR continues this series of analyzing the legislative record of the Stark County delegation to the Ohio General Assembly.
This blog is the first on state Representative Stephen Slesnick (Democrat - Canton). More reports will follow in the days leading up to the general election in November.
In the opinion of The Report, Slesnick is far too timid of a legislator for coming from a safe district for a Democrat. If Slesnick had to run in a more competitive district in Stark, it is very unlikely that he would be electable to the Ohio House. Slesnick is a big name in Canton on the basis. Representative Slesnick comes from a family that has been in the scrap metal business in Canton since 1957. As far as the SCPR is concerned, the family connection (in terms of name identification familiarity) is a major reason Slesnick made it to Columbus.
He seems to The Report to be "ho-hum" about his legislative work. Moreover, he is not an articulate public presenter and, most importantly, he ignores the likes of the SCPR because he cannot or will not handle the tough questions.
Slesnick does have a significant Republican opponent in Stark County Republican Party executive director Travis Secrest this time around. However, despite his negatives as a legislator, The Report does not see Slesnick losing to Secrest.
It will be interesting to see what Secrest has to say about Slesnick's legislative record.
From the SCPR perspective, it appears that Slesnick is very much a follower and not much of a leader.
Exactly, Martin As I've written before, my own observation of Slesnick, he has been much less than impressive. Two years ago he'd check in for roll call on the House Health Committee, and then leave, never to return. I understand that happens occasionally, but every hearing I attended he was absent within minutes. "Timid" is a complement.
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