Kaptur gains Erie County backing

Some Democratic prominent elected officials in Erie County are managing to take public sides in the Democratic primary between incumbents Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich, not to mention Graham Veysey, even if the party is staying officially neutral.

In a letter released to the media, all the county's row office Democrats, along with a smattering of city officials, declared their support of Kaptur.

The signers include the three county commissioners, the prosecutor, recorder, sheriff, engineer, treasurer, and acting clerk of courts. Also signing are five commissioners of the city of Sandusky, the mayors of Vermilion and Huron, a member of Huron City Council, and state Rep. Dennis Murray of Sandusky.

 They say Kaptur is, “without question, better suited to represent the needs of our communities. As the second-ranking Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, she is positioned to continue bringing taxpayer dollars back to Erie County. We cannot afford to lose her influence in Washington.”

 As examples of her bringing benefits to Erie County, the letter cites federal support for the Plum Brook Research Station and nearby NASA Glenn Lewis Research Center, the housing needs of Sandusky, the water and sewer needs of the lakeside communities, and the Lake Erie tourism industry.

 Here's more of the letter:

“Importantly, Marcy has always worked together with us. She has listened to our concerns and delivered results in ways that citizens might not notice every day. Her work to assist the harbors in Huron, Vermilion and Sandusky has been invaluable. Marcy brought home funds to build the Route 6 bypass and life saving fire safety grants to Perkins and Margaretta townships. She has assisted with economic development in Huron, and delivered funding for the Vermilion rail “quiet zone.”

“And she has always stood strong for our seniors and our veterans in Erie County. Most recently, she has been a forceful voice against Governor Kasich’s push to privatize the Ohio Turnpike.

“For us, Marcy Kaptur is the clear choice in this race. We support her candidacy and urge Erie Countians to vote for her on March 6.”