Although Mercer Countians could not vote for former U.S. Rep. James Traficant, some regarded the Youngstown-area congressman as their representative in Washington.

And while Traficant has been convicted of taking bribes and kickbacks and expelled from the House, it's apparent that many people here still have a soft spot in their hearts for him.

"He was our congressman even though we couldn't vote for him. He came here to help us when no one else would, not even our own congressman," said Frank Laaks, former subdistrict director of District 10 of the United Steelworkers.

Traficant came to the Shenango Valley in the late 1980s -- during the first bankruptcy of Sharon Steel Corp. -- to try to convince steelworkers that granting some contract concessions to the hobbled company was in their best interest. The plant survived that bankruptcy, but filed for bankruptcy again in the early-1990s.

"He took on some daunting tasks. That's what always stood out about him. He always had an open ear and an open door," Laaks said.

"I'm heartsick and sad for Jim," said Farrell Councilwoman Helen Marenchin.

Mrs. Marenchin described herself as Traficant's "Pennsylvania connection" when he first sought office in the 1980s -- many of Traficant's Youngstown-area constituents made their living in the Shenango Valley.

When he was in office, Mrs. Marenchin said, "You just knew that if you had a problem or a request, there was something he could do about it and it would be taken care of quickly."

Neither Laaks nor Mrs. Marenchin would rule out the possibility that Traficant could win re-election, though Mrs. Marenchin was more skeptical. "He does fight like a junkyard dog, though," she said.