WARREN Democratic vice chairman moves up in Tuesday's election

Trumbull Republicans re-elected their party chairman to another term.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
WARREN -- Despite coming off an embarrassing election less than a month ago, Trumbull County Democrat precinct committeemen and women gave a vote of confidence to the party's current leadership.
They chose the party's first vice chairman, rather than a critic of the party leadership, to run the organization.
Party Vice Chairman Christ Michelakis of Warren, county treasurer since 1995, defeated Cortland Mayor Melissa Long 133-68 for a four-year term as party chairman.
"We've got a strong party," Michelakis said. "We have to work on making it stronger. It's going to take a little work, but we can do it."
Long, a 26-year precinct committee member, said she worked as hard at running for party chair as she has at anything in her entire life.
"They're not ready for change," Long said about the precinct committee members who voted for Michelakis.
The elections were held Tuesday at Divieste Banquet Hall with 201 of the 241 precinct committee members attending. There are 274 precinct committee seats, but 31 are vacant.
Leadership issues
During a speech she gave before the vote, Long said the party has not had true leadership for the past 15 years.
Departing Chairman Nicholas J. Melfi, who held the position for five years and supported Michelakis, said the Michelakis vote shows that the precinct committee members are satisfied with the Democratic leadership.
"We have nearly all Democratic officeholders in the county," Melfi said. "We've been successful, and we'll continue to be successful. There was no need for a change in philosophy."
The party suffered setbacks in last month's primary as its endorsed candidates for the 17th Congressional District and the 65th Ohio House seat were defeated, and its endorsed county commissioner candidate squeaked out a victory over a politician unknown who raised only $300 for his campaign.
John Emanuel of Howland, a Michelakis supporter elected the party's third vice chairman Tuesday, said despite the primary problems, the Democrats are not in disarray and Michelakis' solid work ethic and leadership qualities will strengthen the party.
Infante defeats O'Brien
Also, Niles Mayor Ralph A. Infante Jr., a party loyalist, defeated Trumbull County Clerk of Courts Margaret O'Brien 105-98 for first vice chair Tuesday.
Infante said his win was a little revenge for his sister, Karen Allen Infante, who unsuccessfully challenged O'Brien in the 2000 Democratic primary for clerk of courts. His sister plans to run again in 2004.
Ralph Infante said O'Brien still ignores him in public even though the bitter primary between his sister and the clerk of courts was two years ago.
"It might be revenge, but Margaret's wrath is something you might not want to see," O'Brien said. "We're not going anywhere in this Valley as long as we continue with the status quo."
Ralph Infante said it will take some time to reunite the party, but it will be done.
Also Tuesday, the Trumbull County Republicans re-elected Craig Bonar of Cortland to a second four-year term as chairman at its reorganizational meeting at party headquarters at the former St. Joseph Health Center in Warren.
Kathi Creed of Liberty, who was the party's second vice chair, was elected first vice chair. Creed and Bonar ran unopposed.
skolnick@vindy.com