MAHONING COUNTY AFL-CIO lists endorsements
The labor organization endorsed the challenger over the county prosecutor.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Greater Youngstown AFL-CIO Labor Council, which consists of 57 local unions in Mahoning County, opted not to endorse a candidate for either sheriff or juvenile court judge.
The AFL-CIO's political action council interviewed the three candidates for sheriff -- incumbent Randall A. Wellington, Edward P. Nemeth and Howard L. Faison, all Democrats -- and the two juvenile court candidates -- incumbent Theresa Dellick, a Republican, and Wade W. Smith Jr., her Democratic challenger.
But none of the candidates in those races obtained two-thirds of the vote of the 22 members of the political action council, said Larry Fauver, president of the Greater Youngstown AFL-CIO.
The organization's rules do not permit an endorsement unless a candidate has two-thirds of the political action council's vote, and then two-thirds of the general membership's vote, he said. Without two-thirds of the council's vote, no recommendation is given to the membership, Fauver said.
The AFL-CIO is the largest labor union organization in Mahoning County, with 15,000 active members, and 25,000 retirees. Only the active membership is permitted to vote on endorsements.
Besides Wellington, the only other incumbent not to be endorsed by the group was Prosecutor Paul J. Gains. Instead, the labor organization endorsed Brad Gessner, Gains' Democratic primary challenger.
Endorsements
The organization endorsed Youngstown Law Director John McNally for the county commissioner seat held by Ed Reese, who isn't running for re-election. There are two other candidates in the Democratic primary with McNally. Also, Republican Patrick Strange is seeking the seat.
The AFL-CIO also endorsed Anthony Traficanti, the former 17th Congressional District's regional director, for the other commissioner's seat, held by Vicki Allen Sherlock, who also isn't running for re-election. Besides Traficanti, there are three other Democrats running in the March 2 primary for that post. Also, Republican Sam Moffie is running for the position.
The labor organization endorsed county Recorder Ronald V. Gerberry, who has a Democratic primary challenger; a Republican has also filed to run in the general election for that job.
Anthony Vivo, the county's clerk of courts, received the organization's endorsement. He faces Republican Sandra Holowatuk in the November general election.
Treasurer John Reardon received the AFL-CIO endorsement for re-election. Two Republicans are running in the March 2 primary to face Reardon in November.
All Democratic and Republican candidates were invited to be interviewed by the organization's political action council, Fauver said.
Facing no challengers
The organization also endorsed Mahoning County incumbents who face no challengers: Engineer Richard Marsico, Coroner David M. Kennedy, Judge James C. Evans of common pleas court, and Judge Gene Donofrio of the 7th District Court of Appeals.
The organization recommended candidates in the races for the three Ohio House districts that represent Mahoning County as well as the 6th and 17th congressional district races. Those recommendations must be approved by the state AFL-CIO, Fauver said. After that approval is given, expected by the end of the week, the local AFL-CIO will release the endorsements, he said.
The organization also voted to support the renewal of the county's 0.5-percent sales tax, and the 1-mill, five-year new levy for senior citizens.
skolnick@vindy.com