Dem leader endorses Yemma for primary

An assistant Mahoning County prosecutor is running for the appellate bench.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairwoman Lisa Antonini is backing Struthers Councilman Dan Yemma in the 60th Ohio House District primary.
"He's an up-and-comer, a rising star," Antonini said of Yemma. "I think he'd be an outstanding state representative. I'd like for Dan to win, and I'm supporting him."
Yemma was to file his nominating petitions today for the state House seat.
Democrats who have filed to run for the seat are Youngstown Councilman Rufus Hudson; state Sen. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown; Richard A. Gozur of Campbell, principal of Campbell Memorial High School; and Ian Stublarec, who's never run for political office before.
At least three other Democrats are interested in the seat. Thursday is the filing deadline.
Antonini said Yemma, serving his fourth term as Struthers' 3rd Ward councilman, approached her about a year ago regarding the 60th District race. Antonini said she encouraged Yemma to run and recently participated in a campaign strategy session with him and his supporters.
Asked to withhold endorsement
Antonini said she was asked by some Democratic precinct committee members not to "formally endorse" any candidates in the May Democratic primary. She said that's because the party is contemplating the reinstatement of party endorsements in primaries, a practice eliminated 11 years ago.
Precinct committee members may be asked as early as next month to meet and vote on reinstating primary endorsements for local and statewide candidates.
Yemma, who operates a mortgage and insurance brokerage company, said he is thrilled that Antonini is supporting his candidacy.
"It will help me stand out among the pack," he said. "It's already a crowded field, and more people are expected to file. It's an open seat, and it's appealing to a lot of people."
State Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr., a Youngstown Democrat who's held the seat for more than seven years, can't run for re-election this year because of state term limits.
The district includes Youngstown and much of northeast Mahoning County and is a strong Democratic seat.
Says Hagan leads
Though she supports Yemma, Antonini said Hagan, D-33rd, is the Democratic primary's front-runner. Hagan can't run this year for re-election to the state Senate because of state term limits.
"Bob's going to be a formidable opponent," Antonini said. "With so many people in the race, Bob benefits because of his name ID. If you had to pick a horse to win, it would be Bob."
In other election news, Atty. Timothy Franken of Beaver Township, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, filed petitions Tuesday to run in the Democratic primary for a seat on the 7th District Court of Appeals. Incumbent Judge Mary DeGenaro of Poland already filed petitions to run in the Republican primary.
Judge Maureen Cronin of Youngstown filed petitions Tuesday to run in the Democratic primary for her seat on the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. No one else has filed for that position.
skolnick@vindy.com