WARREN — The race for the 64th District House seat has two candidates who seem equally passionate and in many ways qualified to represent the district.
Since neither Vincent Peterson II, 33, a Democrat, nor Nick Santucci, 31, a Republican, have previously run for or held office, both will have to navigate new experiences and responsibilities if elected.
Both, however, have experience working beside and with politicians in their respective careers.
The new 64th House District includes all of Warren, Girard, Liberty, Niles, Hubbard, Vienna, Howland, McDonald and Weathersfield as well as part of Warren Township.
Peterson, a Howland resident, has for the last five years worked as the constituent and community affairs liaison for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland. He also worked of nearly four years with the Ohio Parole Authority and a year with the Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program.
Santucci, also a Howland resident, has been a senior consultant for workforce and community engagement with VAZA Consulting for one year; worked with the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio for a year; and previously worked with the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber for nearly two years.
Peterson has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology from Villanova University, and Santucci has a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from John Carroll University.
The two graduated from Howland High School a year apart.
VALLEY CONCERNS
“Since I began this campaign, we’ve knocked on somewhere between 10,000 and 11,000 doors, talking to people about their concerns,” Peterson said. “What I have learned is people do not want a rubber stamp. They are looking for people who will represent their values, regardless of party.”
“Voters want representatives who will think for themselves, not simply follow the party line,” he continued.
Peterson said he already has had conversations with the minority leader in the Ohio House about his intention to do whatever it takes to represent the best interests of Valley residents — even if, sometimes, that does not align with the Ohio Democratic party.
Santucci said he came back to Trumbull County after graduating from John Carroll in 2013 and found the area continuing to lose residents and jobs at even a faster rate than when he graduated from Howland.
“The Valley is currently losing 7.7 people a day,” Santucci said. “People I’ve spoken with during this campaign have expressed concern about jobs and infrastructure.”
“They want to beautify the area and see a crackdown on crime,” he continued.
Santucci believes his education and his experiences with the regional chamber makes him the ideal candidate for the position at this time.
“Politicians do not bring jobs,” Santucci said. “They work with people in the chamber, the (Western Reserve) Port Authority and others that work directly with employers and businesses that work to bring jobs to the area by showing the locations where they can locate and guide them to available incentive programs.”
BUSINESSES
The representative’s job will be to pass legislation that will make the area attractive to new businesses and ensure established business will remain in the area, he noted.
“During my time with the chamber, I got to run economic development projects,” Santucci said. “I worked with TJX and Lordstown Motors when they were looking to come here. I had a the seat at the table. I understand how to bring jobs to the Valley.”
Creating the atmosphere to bring new jobs to the area is also a high priority for Peterson.
He wants young people to be prepared to be hired by the new companies by ensuring they learn the skills needed while in high school, and making sure there are educational programs available that teach skills needed by area businesses.
“I want the money from here to go right into our educational system,” Peterson said. “We have to be prepared for what is coming up next. If we don’t address the educational inequalities, Trumbull County will continue to fall behind.
“We have to listen to educators and administrators in our schools to understand what they need,” he said. “We have to address broadband issues.”
Peterson said opportunities must be created for people wanting to learn trade skills in programs designed to focus on those programs.
“We have to talk to companies that are moving into Lordstown to find what they need,” he said. “We have to be proactive, not just reactive, in preparing our workforce.”
INVESTMENT
Both candidate s believe there must be increased investment in the area’s infrastructure.
“We need to build a community where people can feel proud,” Peterson said.“There are some areas, such as the southwest side of Warren, where residents feel they have been forgotten. We have to work to make sure that no community feels it has been ignored and forgotten about. “
“We have to get our fair share of funds from the state and federal governments,” he continued. “We have to build a sense of pride. We have to work to repurpose empty lots and demolish empty dilapidated infrastruture.”
Santucci described the 64th District as being in a geographically unique position between Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
“People want to live here,” he said. “People want to raise their families. We have beautiful areas and its residents have grit. We have to showcase that.”
Being a Republican in a state where the majority of offices are controlled by Republican party, Santucci believes, will give him an advantage in getting support in future legislative efforts.
“I’ve been endorsed by 30 legislators,” Santucci said. “I have the relationships needed to get things done. I believe I can get in there right away to draft legislation and get support to get it passed.”
Peterson emphasized that he is ready and willing to work across the political aisle.
“I’m hoping and praying to have opportunity to work with my congressional colleagues and get something done with the Valley,” he said. “I believe our local officials can rally behind getting together and getting things done.
“It would be nice to work with people on different issues,” he said. “We can agree on issues such as infrastructure and economic development.”
The two candidates differ on some issues, such as abortion.
Santucci described himself as a pro-life candidate, saying he supports current Ohio legislation that makes abortion, except in the case of rape or incest, illegal after six weeks or the hearing of the first heartbeat.
Peterson supports the right for women, in consultation with her doctor, to choose.
“I don’t believe it is my business, or anyone’s business, when a woman is making this choice,” Peterson said. “I don’t want to be in a world that my daughters have less freedom than their mother or grandmother had.”
Nick Santucci
Age: 31
Political party: Republican
Occupation: senior consultant for workforce and community engagement with VAZA Consulting
Previous elected experience: None
Goals: Work directly with employers and businesses to bring jobs to the area
Vince Peterson II
Age: 33
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Constituent and community affairs liaison for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland.
Previous elected experience: None
Goals: Creating an atmosphere to bring new jobs to the area
