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Gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan and his wife, Kate Mulgrew, buy apples yesterday as they tour a market in Willoughby, Ohio.
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Hagan turns visit into family day

AP

Hagan turns visit into family day

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - The weekly klatch was in full session yesterday at the Arabica Coffee House, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan was in the middle of it doing what he enjoys best: talking politics.

Watching from across the room was Mr. Hagan's mother, Ada Hagan. Joining her at the Arabica were 10 of her 14 children, including Tim, in what the Hagans were calling family day on the campaign trail.

During his 13-month race against Gov. Bob Taft, Mr. Hagan, 56, has often talked about his large family and modest upbringing and how his parents had encouraged all their children to consider public service in one form or another. His father, Robert Hagan, a steelworker and Trumble County commissioner, died in 1999.

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“He was brought up to care about people,” said Mrs. Hagan, who at 82 still possess a firm grip and a quick, lively mind.

Like her straight-talking son, she's not afraid to speak her mind. She's upset at the governor, she said, for labeling her son Taxin' Tim, in reference to his years as a Cuyahoga County commissioner.

“It burns me up,” Mrs. Hagan said, noting that Cuyahoga voters overwhelmingly approved two referendums relating to support for the mentally retarded and health and human services. Her son has called those votes the best moments of his public career.

Mr. Hagan, with the election 72 hours away, spent the day in his home region, where he has said he needs to win by a large margin to have a shot at Governor Taft. He greeted early shoppers at Cleveland's West Side Market and campaigned in East Cleveland before traveling to Willoughby, a Lake Erie town east of Cleveland. Millie Waterman of Mentor, a regular at the weekly Saturday morning group, was happy to see him at the Arabica.

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“I am concerned about higher education and Taft's leadership,” she said. “I love Tim. I think he has a grasp of what is going on.”

Jim Collins, editor of Willoughby's News-Herald who helped start the Arabica group nine years ago, has a different take on Mr. Hagan.

“I think he's hard working, articulate, and personable. I don't know how you can't like him as a person. [But] as a governor, I think he's out of the mainstream.”

That was not the viewpoint of those present at Democratic Party headquarters in Mr. Hagan's native Youngstown, where the candidate appeared yesterday afternoon before attending a tailgate party at Youngstown State University, his alma mater. Joining him were his brother, state Sen. Bob Hagan (D., Youngstown) and a sister, Maggie Hagan. That made 12 out of 14 Hagan siblings present; all but one live in Ohio.

“This is the town that gave me this opportunity,” Mr. Hagan told his supporters.

His visit fired up Rick Watson, a small business owner from Alliance. Despite Mr. Hagan's underdog position and being outspent 10-1 by Governor Taft, Mr. Watson believes his man can win.

“Democrats are at work. People are talking. People are sick of the last 12 years [of Republican rule]. Nothing has happened for the working men and women of this state,” he said.

Mr. Hagan has been making that point all along, but has said he's not sure enough people are listening to send him to Columbus. The candidate, appearing tired on Friday, was clearly rejuvenated yesterday by the appearance of his family, including his wife, Kate Mulgrew.

“They have always been a source of comfort and support,” he said.

First Published November 3, 2002, 12:29 p.m.

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Gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan and his wife, Kate Mulgrew, buy apples yesterday as they tour a market in Willoughby, Ohio.  (AP)
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