Candidate accused of abandoning Arena Football League

Ohio House candidate Jim Renacci’s (R) day job as an Arena Football League owner was supposed to help him in his race against Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio).

But at least one AFL fan isn’t happy to see Renacci take the plunge, noting that he was supposed to be responsible for saving the league from its impending doom.

Writing in the Grand Rapids, Mich., Press (where they also have an AFL team), columnist Brian VanOchten tears Renacci a new one:

No wonder the Arena Football League remains in limbo.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Jim Renacci, co-owner of the Columbus Destroyers and leader of the AFL Board of Directors’ restructuring effort, has been preoccupied with launching a political campaign.

Renacci filed paperwork to run for a U.S. House seat in northeast Ohio.

And here’s the punch line: He says his priority will be job creation.

The lack of leadership from Renacci, former mayor of Wadsworth, Ohio, has resulted in hundreds of jobs lost in numerous communities — including Grand Rapids — that supported AFL teams.

The AFL canceled its 2009 season last December because of financial problems amid crumbling economic conditions. The league recently announced it suspended operations indefinitely.

So, now, it appears Renacci has abandoned the league.