Party to support Niles councilman

WARREN -- The Central Committee of the Trumbull County Democratic Party has endorsed Niles Councilman Frank Fuda to replace James Tsagaris as Trumbull County commissioner.
Tsagaris chose not to seek re-election.
The party committeemen and women gave Fuda 100 votes. The four others running in the Democratic primary May 2 and their vote totals are Girard Mayor James Melfi (37), Warren Councilman-at-large Robert Marchese (32), Ted Harrell of Warren (7) and former Warren City Council President Joe H. Williams (2). Warren restaurateur Mauro Cantalamessa did not seek the party's endorsement.
The winner will face Republican Niki Frenchko of Warren.
The party met Tuesday at DiViesti's Banquet Hall in Warren.
The party also endorsed Mary Jane Trapp of Russell for the open seat on the 11th District Court of Appeals being vacated by Judge Donald R. Ford, who is retiring. The court is based in downtown Warren. Trapp received 136 votes. The other candidate is Albert L. Purola of Willoughby, who received 41 votes.
Republicans vying for the position are Paul Brickner of Willoughby, Jeffrey H. Black of Willoughby and Dorothy Henry Lee of Geneva.