Democrat Unseats Republican in Canton Mayor's Race

CANTON, Ohio (AP) - A Democrat won the mayor's office Tuesday for the first time in 16 years, giving the party control of Ohio's eight major cities heading into the 2008 presidential race.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting unofficial results, Democrat William J. Healy II received 8,212 votes, or 53 percent, and Republican Janet Weir Creighton got 7,178 votes, or 47 percent.

Stark County is considered a bellwether having voted for the White House winner every election from 1980 to 2000. Voters narrowly backed Democrat John Kerry in 2004.

"Our most impressive Democratic pickup across the state," said Chris Redfern, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. "It's huge because when you have a Democratic presidential nominee coming into a community, the mayor has a political organization and those activists will be free to help our nominee."

Creighton was seeking a second term. Healy, 44, criticized her for failing to improve a city plagued by job losses and boarded-up houses.

Healy is a state representative for the 52nd District, which includes Canton, Canton Township and parts of Perry and Plain townships. He holds the seat that his late father held for 26 years. His father ran unsuccessfully for Canton mayor in 1999.

Last week, six of Creighton's campaign billboards were spray painted with dollar signs over her eyes. Fangs were spray painted on Creighton's mouth on some of the billboards.

Creighton, in a speech to supporters Tuesday night, conceded that she had lost the race to Healy.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one in Canton.

"Democrats now hold all of Ohio's major urban cities, and they have the obligation and opportunity to address the growing concerns over crime, education and decaying infrastructure," he said.

Ohio's eight major cities are Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Akron, Youngstown and Canton.