Political Community Offers Condolences for Traficant

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Members of the Mahoning Valley political community and beyond expressed their condolences to the family of Jim Traficant via emailed press statements and social media following news of his death Saturday.

The community continues to await word on arrangements for the former U.S. congressman, which are expected early in the week, according to a Traficant family spokesperson cited in media reports.  

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a former Traficant aide and his eventual successor, said his thoughts and prayers went out to the former congressman, his family and close friends. “He was a man who possessed tremendous charisma and throughout his career helped thousands of citizens in the Mahoning Valley in many ways. We all pray that he may rest in peace," Ryan, D-13 Ohio, said.

Ryan’s colleague, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-6 Ohio, also issued a statement expressing his sympathies.

“LeeAnn and I were very saddened to learn of the death of former Congressman Jim Traficant. He was a bold figure who often spoke passionately about the problems so many working families face,” Johnson said. “Our prayers go out to his family.”

Mahoning County commissioner Anthony Traficanti, in a post on Facebook, described Traficant's “iconic status” as “bigger than life, and said his “leadership, kind heart” and “many accomplishments will remain immortal.”

On the social media site, state Rep. Bob Hagan, D-58 Youngstown, also expressed his sympathies to Traficant’s family.

In a press statement, Chris Redfern, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, recalled meeting Traficant as a student on the campus of Bowling Green State University, where the party leader had been a student.

“On behalf of Democrats everywhere, I offer former Congressman Traficant's family and friends our condolences and thoughts at the passing of Jim. It’s tremendously painful to lose a loved one, and I personally wish Jim's loved ones nothing but the best in this difficult time,” he said.

In a remembrance on the NPR website, Marilyn Geewax, senior business editor and a Mahoning Valley native, recalled giving a speech to a group of business leaders in which she said “Youngstown would never rise above its reputation until local voters stopped electing crooks.”  

A few days later, she received a flag with a note from the congressman “praising me for making my hometown proud with my achievements as a journalist. No mention of my speech's message -- just hometown pride,” she recalled.

The flag, she said, reminded her why Traficant remained popular with so many people here and helps her appreciate rogue politicians.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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