Jim Traficant: "I'm Going to Run For Congress"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Campaign 2010

(AP)

Former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Ohio, who was released from prison four months ago after serving a sentence for racketeering, tax evasion and bribery, is planning another run for Congress in 2010.

Business Journal Daily reports that Traficant told a business networking group in Youngstown, Ohio yesterday that "I'm going to run for Congress." He said he isn't sure which district he will seek or whether he will run as a Democrat, Republican, independent or something else.

Traficant was expelled from the House in 2002, following his conviction, and served seven years in federal prison.

He reportedly acknowledged Tuesday that he "won't have much money" for a run, though he said he "never raised a lot of money" in past campaigns.

Traficant also said a far-right group called the American Free Press wants him to run for president as an independent. He is planning to speak to the group in February, if he is allowed to travel under the terms of his parole.

Traficant's old seat is currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who had been one of his aides.

In his comments, Traficant reportedly complained about the "communist" tax code and said he doesn't like "this bashing of the rich."

"I'm a capitalist," he said. "I don't like an economy that rewards dependency, penalizes achievement, subsidizes illegitimacy and chases jobs overseas."

He also said his conviction was politically motivated and that he is "a very bitter guy" who is seeking revenge against the "suckers" who helped put him in prison.

Pensions Follow Ex-Lawmakers to Prison

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

29 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 29 Comments


by Frankdlaca May 4, 2010 5:10 PM EDT: Jim I haven?t voted in years what with the game being controlled by the Kosher Mafia and their useless meat puppets. Now I will register to vote and vote for you!; Reply to this comment


by LindaPeg February 18, 2010 8:35 PM EST: If this ex convict runs for Congress, and they vote him in, they deserve everything they get. What a loser. This country doesn't need ex convicts, or more of them in Congress. Unbelievable.; Reply to this comment


by royandpam January 16, 2010 1:56 AM EST: I agree with jim. My wife was killed in front of myself and our 9 month old baby in michigan in 2004 due to uncovering insurance fraud and liability limitation between two hospitals using another patients records with the same name. This was an intentional death. She was a nurses aid for 15 yrs. I also had some medical training and worked with her. They gave her a coctail shot, put a breathing treatment mask on her, she screamed she could not breath, put a resp. tube down her throat, shut her air off, gave her a heart attack with an injection, and popped her eyes out of her head choking her to death. I have proof and witness's. Pending Death Certificate was amended 3 times and took many months to obtain. Says children unknown. Onset to death says years. Duration was about 6 weeks. She tested negative for cancer in both hospitals. Says poorly differentiated mucen sucreating. (Lungs bled from breathing treatment, this was not an accident) says adenocarcinoma of the lungs. Body was taken from a private ordered police pending autopsey and falsified at another location in another county.(was not allowed this information untill i obtained the death certificate). The lawyers gave us over to the med. malpractice specialists at her funeral.(wrongfull diagnosis to wrongfull death) The funurel home was filled with people that were from the two counties involved covering it up and looking for information. I spent the two year wrongfull death statute trying to get the records the med. malpractice lawyers obtained from both hospitals involved but could not get them. I offered $10,000 cash for them and they laughed at me. I obtained records of both women involved myself and they got scared and dropped me from their caseload when I presented some of the records I obtained through private means. I was quoted $1600 per hour from another attorney to sue the lawyers for the records they had obtained. I could not afford this and left michigan forever. Unusual events took place after her death involving myself and other witness's during the two year statute. I have proof of all this. I am now a proud resident of ohio. My wife and I were together 12 years. Our hospitals are govt. ran and the most dangerous place I have ever seen in my life. Those responsible must answer for these crimes. The top people involved that ran both hospitals where from China, India, and Russia. This way of limiting liability was wrong. There is much more information about this death. Speaking out like this could cause adverse affects on myself but I can't keep quiet about something like this. She was 35 and beautiful, and did not deserve the terrifying death she experianced knowing what was happening to her. I am not afraid to speak for her. My love for her empowers me to fight and grows stronger every day. Hearing jim speak out about the state of this country renews my faith that some of us are not going to keep taking this kind of gross abuse anymore. Someone has to take a stand and speak out. If jim needs anything from me I will support him just for having the strength to speak out about what is happening to our great nation. Questions or Comments E-mail me at( roy.0714@yahoo.com ) Thank you jim.; Reply to this comment


by designbo December 31, 2009 12:23 PM EST: I think it's great. He is a true American who was railroaded into prison. But the sad news is that there will be some trumped up story for all to see and he will fail...hopefully not, and he should run as independent....
Good luck Jim..; Reply to this comment


by BeachBuzz December 31, 2009 10:14 AM EST: It is true that you can run for seat in the house or senate with a felony conviction, as a matter of fact you can be elected while in prison. The Constitution has only 3 qualifying rules and virtually no disqualifying rules other than the 3rd paragraph of the 14th Amendment. As the French Political Philospher Maistre said "Every nation has the government in deserves"; Reply to this comment

by NowBeWithThat December 31, 2009 9:15 AM EST

What is that on his head?!?

Reply to this comment


by canislupus16 December 31, 2009 11:21 AM EST: lmao - first thing I noticed too. Looks like he spent seven years sleeping on his hair the wrong way.

Well well well, he's a bitter guy, politically motivated prosecution, yada yada. LOSER! His arrogance and sense of entitlement continue. Forget it Jimmy, your history is written.


by cbsblogger December 31, 2009 9:13 AM EST: One thing about Jim Traficante is he speaks candidly and with the truth. Every Congressman as part of the Oath of Office should be required to put their hand on the Bible and swear "to tell always their constituents the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." That way when they lie they can be charged with perjury.

This is an interesting interview with Traficant on Fox News.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0scNGzWfv8A; Reply to this comment


by RCC_Soldaten December 31, 2009 9:07 AM EST: He'll just waste everyones time and money slamming everyone.....Hey wait a minute...he'll fit right in!; Reply to this comment


by johndevinejr December 31, 2009 8:56 AM EST: I am glad this guy is back. He has the best hair in town. If I remember correctly he used to wear white shoes and a white belt that was 3" wide and a plaid sports jacket.

Very very stylish.

Welcome back Jim!; Reply to this comment