TRUMBULL COUNTY Board rejects two petitions to run in upcoming primary

The rejection votes were unanimous.
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections has thrown out petitions for a 17th Congressional District candidate and a Democrat running in the May primary for state representative in the 65th Ohio House District.
Timothy J. McNeil's petitions for the 17th District seat were rejected because he filed under the Libertarian party.
Board director Norma Williams said Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell issued a statement earlier this month saying the Democratic and Republican parties are the only ones recognized by the state.
Democrats seeking the seat held now by James A. Traficant Jr. are Warren attorney Maridee Costanzo; state Sen. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-32nd; state Rep. Anthony Latell Jr. of Girard, D-67th; U.S. Rep. Thomas C. Sawyer of Akron, D-14th; Bryan Taafe of Canfield; Joe Louis Teague of Youngstown; and Randy Walter of Canfield.
State Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin of Aurora is the Republican candidate.
In 65th District: A lack of sufficient valid signatures is the reason given for petitions rejected for Matthew James Cataline, a Liberty Democrat seeking the 65th District seat.
The race is made up of Republican James Calko Jr. and Democrats Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, Barry Profato of Niles and Joseph Melfi of Girard.
Melfi is the brother of Nicholas Melfi, a board of elections member.
Williams said votes to reject the petitions were unanimous.
Committees: The board also rejected petitions from these Democratic County Central Committee candidates: Mayor Ralph Infante, Niles, 2E; Mary Clark Drue, Warren 6G; Doris L. Young, Howland B; Anthony Gutierrez, Liberty K; and Mary Jane Wilson, Lordstown D.
Petitions for these Republican County Central Committee candidates were thrown out: Ruth Jean Hawkins, West Farmington Village; Anne R. Yashnik, Warren 5C; Joan B. Garland, Braceville B; Paul W. Ventling, Champion J; and Kevin O'Neil, Niles 4A.