YOUNGSTOWN — A powerful Youngstown Democrat who began his decades-long political career organizing for candidate John F. Kennedy in 1960 has died. Former state senator and state party chairman Harry Meshel was 93. Ohio Democratic Chairman David Pepper says Meshel died Monday after a long illness. A graduate of Youngstown College and Columbia University who had served in World War II, Meshel ran unsuccessfully for local office before first landing a seat in the Ohio Senate in 1970. He served in the chamber for 22 years, working his way through the leadership ranks to serve as Senate minority leader and president.