OH-16: "D.C. Power Bosses Insult Voters In 16th District"

This just in...

CANTON - Once again, an outside group is trying to exert its influence in the 16th Congressional District race.

This time it took the form of a direct mail piece put out by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"This is very unfortunate and misleading," said Sen. Kirk Schuring.

"Senator Boccieri ought to denounce these tactics immediately and join me in asking third parties to stay out of this race."

Senator Schuring on three previous occasions has denounced third-party attack ads.

Here are some facts the DCCC attack machine conveniently left out:

Their attack says Sen. Schuring voted to raise his own pay $9,000 per year in 2000.

Fact: Senator Schuring did not accept the money and has not taken a pay raise since February 2003. In fact, he's the lowest paid Senator in Ohio and has not accepted more than $24,000 in earned compensation.

Their attack says Sen. Schuring voted to raise gas taxes, costing Ohio families $250 million per year.

Fact: Senator Schuring's vote was actually part of the overall transportation budget that created jobs and brought critical improvements to U.S. Highway 30 and Interstates 77 and 71. These three arteries are critical links to the transportation of goods and raw materials that move in and out of the 16th Congressional District.

"This is another example of how broken Washington has become. They don't understand the needs of our citizens. Local businesses here in the district were overwhelmingly in favor of this budget because of the way it improved Ohio's transportation system. This bill was an effort to boost our economy and create jobs," Schuring said.

"Its not surprising that someone from Youngstown wouldn't understand the important issues facing people in the 16th District. Perhaps if Senator Boccieri were from the district, he'd understand these issues a little better," said Schuring Campaign Manager PJ Wenzel.