COURT RACE: Wade W. Smith Jr. is expected to be the Democratic candidate for the Mahoning County

COURT RACE: Wade W. Smith Jr. is expected to be the Democratic candidate for the Mahoning County Juvenile Court judicial seat, currently held by Judge Theresa Dellick, a Republican. Mahoning Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini said the party plans to financially support Smith's campaign. Smith, of Boardman, serves as an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, assigned to the Children Services Board, and his private law practice includes custody, neglect and abuse cases. Smith served as juvenile court's chief probation officer from September 1978 to June 1982, and also spent five years before that as a probation officer with the court.
Will she? Mahoning Democratic officials haven't received an official word from county Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock about her intentions to run for re-election, but they don't believe she will seek the office. Expected to file nominating petitions for that seat are Tim Batton, Anthony Traficanti and David Ditzler. The other commissioner seat will definitely be open as Ed Reese isn't running for re-election next year. John McNally, Youngstown's law director, is giving strong consideration to running. Also, John Cox, assistant director of the county's recycling division and a former Boardman trustee, is mulling a bid. Mark Belinky, president of the Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts political group, will run for the seat. Jan. 2 is the filing deadline.
skolnick@vindy.com