Jim Graham, left, introduces J.D. Williams.

Although I usually avoid politics of any sort, an old friend who declared his candidacy for state representative recently has sparked my interest in the May primary election. Other heads are likely to turn as well.

That’s because J.D. Williams of Liberty is the kind of candidate we don’t see too often in Ohio. J.D. is a private sector success and, at age 48, is a political newcomer. That is, he hasn’t had to earn his living by dealing in political favors. Nor does the United Airlines pilot and Air Force Reserve officer need a state government job now. So when he talks about what his leadership skills can contribute to Ohio’s 65th District, he’s believable.

And although that alone is refreshing, it’s not all that’s exciting about his candidacy. Despite being a rookie, Williams has some firepower in his corner.  Union leader Jim Graham and political consultant Vic Rubenstein were front and center at the candidate’s recent kickoff event at the Infante Recreation Center in Niles.

Big Hitters

Graham is the long-time president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 at General Motors in Lordstown, the most visible leader in the region’s union movement and also the most credible. Rubenstein, over the past 30+ years, has turned many losers into winning candidates and many winners into landslide candidates. Here they are backing this neophyte, along with Jack O’Connell, the retired building trades union chief.

“Because there hasn’t been anybody like J.D. Williams in a long time,” intoned Graham, the candidate’s campaign manager, who opened the kickoff event.

Added Rubenstein, in a phone interview, “He is the real thing. Not every candidate who comes to you is someone you really want to represent. Often, this is a job. But sometimes you get really, really excited about the person, and J.D.’s one of those guys.”

Leadership Experience

After all these years, Williams says he wants to get involved in state government now for the right reasons – primarily to help stimulate the economy, so that more of our neighbors can find good jobs and keep their families in northeast Ohio. “We don’t need higher taxes … we need more taxpayers,” he says.

We’ve all heard that before. But we usually hear it from people who have little or no legitimate leadership or business experience.

Williams does. He’s a veteran commercial pilot with United Airlines who flies a 767 around the world. He’s an officer with the Air Line Pilots Association. And he’s a 29-year veteran in the Reserves, where he has flown C-130 transport planes throughout the Middle East and taught hundreds of young men how to fly them in dangerous conditions. He’s been a squadron leader, planning and executing dozens of supply missions at home and abroad.

A tall guy, J.D. has a presence and a powerful voice to go with his good looks and friendly demeanor. The strategy, says Rubenstein, is to get as many people as possible to encounter the candidate’s uniqueness.

“We definitely want to reach out to as many lives as we can,” he said. “That includes precinct committee people who are at the heart of the Democratic system, and the good influencers and good collaborators. He’s been doing that religiously.”

Opponents

Williams has two opponents. Neither has significant (if any) private sector leadership experience.

• Sean O’Brien is an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor (no relation to Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien).
• Edward Stredney is a Niles councilman and, according to his Facebook page, has worked at Sears Holdings since May 2008.