On the SidE. . .

ON THE SIDE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
MUSICAL CHAIRS: Much of the focus on next year's political races is on the statewide offices as well as the open congressional seats in Ohio, particularly the 6th District that includes Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County.
But voters shouldn't ignore that there will be at least two and probably three vacant Ohio House seats and an empty state Senate seat next year. That's the most since 2000 when there were five open House seats and one empty state Senate seat in the three-county area.
State Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr., D-60th, and state Sen. Robert F. Hagan, D-33rd, cannot run for re-election next year because of the state's term limits law. Patton has said he wants to run for Hagan's seat, and it is believed Hagan is considering Patton's House seat.
The 33rd District seat already has one announced candidate: Mahoning County Recorder Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, a former House member. Also expected to run for the Senate seat is state Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st. If Boccieri runs, he would have to give up his House seat, creating that third vacancy.
Also, state Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, R-1st, isn't seeking re-election next year, opting to run for the 6th Congressional District post. U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Lisbon Democrat, won't run for re-election because he is a gubernatorial candidate.
skolnick@vindy.com