toledoblade.com --

U.S. Senate candidate Paul Hackett told a Toledo crowd this week that he’d deport all illegal immigrants if the national budget permitted, stirring another controversy over his candor — this time among Democrats.

Several local Democrats said they disagreed sharply with Mr. Hackett’s statements, made Wednesday night to a group at the University of Toledo. Nearly all of them also praised the attorney and Iraq war veteran for what they called an honest — and often feisty — style they said could win over Republicans and independent voters.

Mr. Hackett said in a telephone interview yesterday that many immigrants are “exploited” by American corporations, and laws must be changed to help them. He did not elaborate, except to say he opposes amnesty for immigrants in the country illegally.

Asked if he stood by his statements, Mr. Hackett said: “Illegal immigration is illegal. It’s that simple.”

Mr. Hackett faces U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat held by Republican Mike DeWine, who is running for re-election.

The chairman of Ohio’s Republican Party condemned him earlier this week after Mr. Hackett told a newspaper the GOP had been “hijacked” by religious fanatics.

Wednesday in Toledo, Mr. Hackett touted his support for gay marriage and gun rights, declared American troops can accomplish nothing more in Iraq, and said he’d support raising taxes if spending cuts alone could not balance the federal budget.

Asked about illegal immigration, Mr. Hackett said the Bush Administration “is willing to let illegals come in and take the jobs of Americans.” When an audience member asked Mr. Hackett if he would deport illegal immigrants, the candidate replied, “If we can afford to, yeah.”

Several Democrats in attendance said the comments surprised or disappointed them.

Frank Szollosi, a Toledo city councilman, said Mr. Hackett appeared “to the right of Pete Wilson” — a conservative Republican and former California governor — on immigration.

Mr. Szollosi and Denis Logan, Jr., the chairman of the Fulton County Democratic Party, said Mr. Hackett sounded as if he had not thought through his immigration position. Both also said they liked his style anyway.

Mr. Szollosi said he supported Mr. Hackett but would reconsider if he did not moderate his immigration stance. Mr. Logan said he backed Mr. Brown but would support Mr. Hackett if he won the primary.

Ben Konop, a Lucas County commissioner candidate who organized the meeting where Mr. Hackett spoke, said Mr. Hackett’s stance was not “far-sighted” on immigration. But, he added, “Regardless of how you feel about the issue, you pay attention to what [Mr. Hackett] says.”

Mr. Brown, who sent representatives to the meeting but did not attend, declined comment through a spokesman. Spokesmen for the Ohio GOP and Mr. DeWine could not be reached.

Contact Jim Tankersley at: jtankersley@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.

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