Jim Traficant, Ex-Congressman Who Spent Seven Years In Jail For Corruption, Gets Another Shot At Congress

WARREN, Ohio — A convicted former congressman from Ohio has won more time to prove he collected enough petition signatures to run for Congress Nov. 2 as an independent.

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (BROO'-ner) broke a Trumbull County elections board tie Wednesday, giving James Traficant (TRAF'-eh-kehnt) a chance to prove that he collected enough signatures. Brunner stepped in after the board deadlocked on whether to disqualify him from the ballot earlier this month.

Brunner, a Democrat, plans to order election boards in Akron and Youngstown to cooperate in setting the stage for determining if Traficant has enough signatures.

Former Traficant aide Linda Kovachik says his backers welcome the chance to correct errors in judging the validity of petitions.

Traficant represented the Youngstown area as a Democrat for nearly two decades before being convicted of corruption in 2002.

Comments

[Michael Shanahan]

11:44 PM on 08/26/2010

Notice how you don't find out he's a democrat until the last line. With repulicans it would be in the headline.

[miles120]

08:24 PM on 08/26/2010

Is the well really that shallow?

[bynddrvn5]

08:15 PM on 08/26/2010

Apparently the Tea Party loves this guy, he was a guest speaker at a protest in Columbiana, Ohio.

James Traficant is pro-life, said that the US is too close to Israel, and claims that he "knows" secrets related to the JFK assassination and the Jimmy Hoffa case.

[GetAbike]

08:03 PM on 08/26/2010

Ohio voters will be sayin "Alright already! we'll vote for you if you lose the toup! It's embarrassing!

[Birdman72]

07:41 PM on 08/26/2010

I'd vote for him if he got a tear tattoo under his eye. That would be awesome.

[dimplesmile7]

06:01 PM on 08/26/2010

He is wearing a pet rat on his head.

[pittsburghunionguy]

06:01 PM on 08/26/2010

God help Ohio! The world's worst hairpiece back on the ballot!?!

[Hawkeye17]

06:00 PM on 08/26/2010

I'm guessing Prison Reform will be campaign plank.

[SirSlappy]

05:58 PM on 08/26/2010

Lose the rug.
Lose the vest
We prefer authentic politicans now.

[disprovit]

04:21 PM on 08/26/2010

It is probably easier for a professional criminal to get into congress than get into jail.

[MFS001]

01:19 PM on 08/26/2010

Great. A revolving door, just like lobbying.

[Birdman72]

07:40 PM on 08/26/2010

I believe it slides.

[FilmCriticOne]

01:16 PM on 08/26/2010

Interesting guy, but a crook, and he knows he was a crook.

[Zach Stein]

01:10 PM on 08/26/2010

Dear Dems,

Don't let this guy run, I don't care if he's not guilty.. he's just not going to win.

[miles120]

08:25 PM on 08/26/2010

He's running as an independent.

[StanleyBing]

09:40 PM on 08/26/2010

THIS time. He was a Democrat all those times he was re-elected and committing crimes.

[Boz63]

11:13 PM on 08/26/2010

I don't think anyone is claiming he's not guilty. He was convicted and actually served time in prison. I don't want him to run. I don't want him to be elected. He is am embarassment to me as a person who lives in Ohio.

[Decipherer]

01:05 PM on 08/26/2010

James Traficant and Dylan Rat-again: Twins separated at birth?

(Hint: those things on their heads.)

Discuss.

[wee weed up]

01:02 PM on 08/26/2010

Recycled Democrat:) Go Green baby!