Lucas for clerk of courts in Trumbull County

Every once in a while, the voters have an opportunity to return to office a politician of proven independence and principle, someone who showed in the past an ability to fight a good fight, against high odds.
Such is the case in this primary election for voters of Trumbull County, who have an opportunity to vote for June Lucas for the office of clerk of courts.
Lucas, 65, a former state representative from Mineral Ridge, where she represented the 67th District, left office in 2000 after seven terms. During that time, she was consistently independent, and proved it dramatically in the latter years of her service by spearheading the drive for reorganization of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.
She is returning to public life from retirement after the death of her husband.
The race
Lucas is facing two candidates who have experience in government as public employees, working in clerk of courts offices. Karen Infante Allen, 38, of Niles is a computer administrator in Niles Municipal Court. Mark Stan, 42, of Liberty is an assistant supervisor of Mahoning County Clerk of Courts.
The office is open due to the retirement of clerk Margaret O'Brien.
During interviews with The Vindicator editorial board, all three candidates spoke knowledgeably about operations of the court and some of the changes they would make to improve efficiency and to recover some of the title work done by the office that has shifted to Mahoning County in recent years.
Both Lucas and Allen are experienced and savvy politicians. Lucas has her years of experience in Columbus. Allen has worked in the Niles court for 16 years, is the sister of the city's mayor, Ralph Infante, who is also co-chairman of the Trumbull County Democratic Party. She is the daughter-in-law of Niles service director Donald K. Allen. She ran for the clerk's office four years ago against O'Brien.
Stan, who has worked in the Mahoning County clerk of courts office 18 of the last 20 years, is making his first bid for public office.
All are ready to serve
Both Allen and Stan make the point that they would need minimal on-the-job training due to their work experience. But Lucas demonstrated during her interview that she has done here homework and is familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the office. Also her experience in Columbus, where she was on the criminal justice and ethics committees and where she worked on legislation requiring criminals to pay court costs, will serve her well.
We urge Trumbull County Democratic voters to take this opportunity to return Lucas to office.
The winner of the primary will face David T. Simon of Liberty, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination.