Dem Ex-Con Traficant Mulls Another House Run

Jim Traficant is betting his brand of populism has survived the 7 years he’s been away from Ohio politics, and is exploring a run for the House of Representatives that spooks both parties. Traficant says the recent victory of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts is indicative of popular outrage, though of course he is a Democrat—and Brown isn’t an ex con. No matter, the former congressman tells the Wall Street Journal. “People are fed up.”

Traficant, who was released from federal prison in September after 7 years for fraud, has already collected the signatures to get him on the Democratic primary ballot in two counties. A Democratic operative pleaded with Traficant to “spare the voters your insanity.” A GOP official took a different tack, conceding that Traficant’s message “resonates with voters.” Still, “we have quality Republican candidates right now who are carrying that message who aren't convicted felons.” (More Jim Traficant stories.)