Cuyahoga Dems back Kucinich over Kaptur

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, facing a tough primary fight in a reconfigured district, secured a key endorsement Saturday from his fellow Cuyahoga County Democrats.

An overwhelming majority of party insiders -- 70 of the 88 executive committee members who turned out from the new district -- chose the longtime Cleveland congressman over fellow Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D. Toledo) and political newcomer Graham Veysey.

The 18 votes against Mr. Kucinich appeared to come from Lakewood, a large inner-ring suburb key to his base. Mr. Kucinich keeps a district office there, and Saturday's meeting was held at a Masonic Temple in the heart of the city.

Afterward, Mr. Kucinich accentuated the positive.

"This is a tremendous show of support," the former Cleveland mayor said. "I'm hoping that it's reflective of where Cuyahoga County is going."

Slow population growth cost Ohio two of its 18 seats during last year's realignment of congressional districts.

The Republican-drawn map consolidated turf of Mr. Kucinich and Miss Kaptur into one district along the Lake Erie shoreline.

With a heavy Lucas County population, the redrawn 9th District tilts in Miss Kaptur's favor.

Mr. Kucinich and his supporters stressed the need for a Cuyahoga-based representative. In a speech prior to the endorsement vote, he rattled off a list of what he sees as his greatest hits. He cited his staunch defense of Cleveland's electric company, then known as Muny Light, during his tenure as the city's mayor. He noted his crusades to save steel-mill jobs. And he took pride in his firm opposition to the Iraq war.

"This is our seat!" Mr. Kucinich said from the stage. "Let's keep it! Let's make it happen!"

His supporters recognize the battle ahead.

"He's always been there for us," Cleveland City Council President Martin J. Sweeney said when rising to call for Mr. Kucinich's endorsement. "We need to be there for him now."

Miss Kaptur, who knew she had no shot at stealing Mr. Kucinich's home field endorsement, treated the event with deference.

At least a dozen executive committee members accepted her invitation to an informal gathering beforehand at a nearby coffee shop, the point of which was not to lobby support but keep things friendly should she win the primary.

Those who attended that gathering included Parma City Council President Sean Brennan, a Kucinich loyalist. Mr. Brennan said afterward that he was there to show there would be no hard feelings.

"If you win," Mr. Brennan said he told Miss Kaptur, "I'm behind you 100 percent."

In her speech at the endorsement meeting, Miss Kaptur stressed her know- ledge of the middle sections of the new district, portions of which she now represents.

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer and Council President Joel Arredondo back Miss Kaptur and are expected to appear with other city officials at a campaign event Sunday, Kaptur spokesman Steve Fought said. Lorain is not part of Miss Kaptur's current district.

Mr. Veysey, who lives in Cleveland and owns a video production company, touted his youth.

"I'm asking you to go on a limb," the 29-year-old said. "I'm asking you to support someone who has never run for elected office before. I think that is an advantage."

Party Chairman Stuart Garson tallied the endorsement votes without ballots, asking Kucinich supporters to stand and all others to sit. Most, if not all, of those who sat were among Lakewood's 22-member delegation. Because there were no ballots, it was unclear how many preferred Miss Kaptur or Mr. Veysey.

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers, one of the committee members who did not back Mr. Kucinich, said afterward he is considering an endorsement of Miss Kaptur.