Democratic Party Chairman Dave Betras, of Mahoning County, OH, is coming under fire by local African American leaders who accuse him of deliberate racism and bullying. The group of African Americans assembled outside the Mahoning County Board of Elections on Wednesday afternoon to voice their anger with Betras. The group said they showed up at a recent Youngstown mayoral debate and were confronted by Betras, who expressed his ire that they were not wearing t-shirts supporting Democratic Party-endorsed candidate John McNally.
The group alleges that Betras employed "bullying tactics" to "force support and endorsement of party candidates." Rev. Kenneth Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church spoke out against Betras, saying "We will not tolerate or be a part of anything that oppresses or suppresses our people or tries to intimidate us to sway our vote." Former Youngstown Councilman Artis Gillam said that in addition to the ugly confrontation, Betras announced his decision to cut them from the committee via media, rather than in private.
