DaytonDailyNews.com

Retired FBI agent Robert Fiatal said he took a "substantial pay cut" for the chance to lead the attorney general's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

Fiatal, 56, who will be paid $95,000 a year, took over as BCI superintendent last week, after spending nearly five years supervising the federal air marshal service's Cleveland office.

BCI, headquartered in London, employs 300 investigators, scientists and support staff who analyze DNA, ballistics and other evidence as well as assist local police agencies.

"From fighting crime and drugs in the streets to battling terrorism in the sky, Bob Fiatal has spent the last 27 years protecting us," Attorney General Marc Dann said.

"Now, I am happy to say, he will bring all he has learned and all he has taught to BCI&I," he said.

Central State honors Beatty, Strahorn

Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, and state Rep. Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, have been honored by Central State University, a Beatty press release said.

During the university's recent 120th homecoming celebration, Beatty,

a Dayton native, was recognized with induction into Central State's Achievement Hall of Fame in March.

She has a bachelor's degree in speech from Central State.

Strahorn received an award making him an honorary alumnus of Central State "in recognition of his unyielding support and guidance to promote legislative awareness and equitable state funding for the university," the press release said.

Candidates filling campaign coffers

Rep. Mike Turner has $329,227 to spend on his bid for re-election, and raised $171,846 between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports.

Former Waynesville Mayor Charles Sanders, a Democrat challenging Turner, raised $1,125 during that period and had $21.14 on hand.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, has $446,449 in the bank and raised $223,970 during that period.

Democrat Rick Siferd of Lima, who opposed Jordan in 2006, has $34,541 in the bank and raised $56,589 during that period.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., has a little more than $1 million in the bank, and raised $290,199 during that period.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, has $108,336 in the bank for her next campaign, but her competitors in that race all have more.

Republican primary challenger Phil Heimlich has $218,287 in the bank and no debt, and Democrat Victoria Wells Wulsin, whom Schmidt narrowly beat in 2006, has $343,001 in the bank and no debt.

Democrat Steve Black, meanwhile, has $256,937 in the bank for his candidacy and $58,320 in debt.

Schmidt has $277,150 in debt.

Powell named new director for Dems

Former Dayton Daily News intern A.J. Powell, 24, is the new communications director for the Ohio Senate Democrats. Powell said his primary goal is to make the ideas, goals and work of Senate Democrats visible to Ohioans.

He'll be paid $47,000 a year and supervise one full-time employee and three interns.

He is a graduate of Wayne High School and the University of Dayton and worked in the newsroom for four years before joining the Ohio Legislative Service Commission's intern program in November 2005. Most recently, Powell served as executive assistant to the assistant secretary of state.

Romney names state director

Republican Mitt Romney has named David Gallagher, 29, a University of Dayton graduate, as Ohio director for Romney's presidential campaign.

Gallagher, who grew up in the Dayton area, "will be critical in growing Gov. Romney's already strong grassroots organization in Ohio," a campaign press release said.

Gallagher has worked for the Ohio Republican Party, on the staff of former Republican U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine and on campaigns in Nevada.