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January 11, 2010

Ex-Rep. Traficant still not revealing his target seat

By CREW Staff

Congress, Corruption, Ethics, States, Ohio, House Members, Political Candidates, James Traficant

Convicted felon and former Rep. James Traficant of Ohio plans to run for a Congressional seat, but he isn't saying which House seat he's eyeing. Traficant served as a Democrat congressman from 1985 to 2002, when the House of Representatives voted to expel him after his conviction on corruption charges.

Speaking on a Cleveland radio station, Traficant declared himself a "very bitter man." But he did not tip his hand as to which House seat in northeastern Ohio he would seek in this year's election.

Traficant can't wait long to pick his target seat. Ohio's election filing deadline is Feb. 18 for major-party candidates and May 3 for independent candidates.

After his conviction on bribery, racketeering and tax evasion, Traficant served a seven-year sentence. He was released from prison in September.

It's not clear exactly how Democratic or Republican voters feel about Traficant, but at least this third party in Ohio likes him well enough to have invited him to speak at a fundraiser.