Democratic chairwoman to seek treasurer's position

The only announced candidate is quitting the race.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite her initial lack of interest in the job, Mahoning County Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini plans to seek her party's appointment to county treasurer.
That means Struthers Councilman Dan Yemma, the only announced candidate for the job and the original clear favorite to get the post, will withdraw his name from consideration.
Antonini, chief deputy in the treasurer's office, said she'll have a final decision today on her candidacy.
But during an interview Tuesday, Antonini said she was "leaning toward seeking the appointment."
Talking like a candidate for the job, Antonini later said she's been pleased with the progress made by the treasurer's office in recent years and she wants to "now spearhead those efforts. ... Leading the charge is exciting for me."
Antonini had previously stated she wasn't interested in replacing John Reardon as county treasurer. Antonini said her main concern was successfully balancing being county chairwoman and county treasurer. Antonini now says she could do both.
Antonini said her change of heart is similar to Ted Strickland's when he announced in January 2005 that he wouldn't run for governor but changed his mind a few months later.
The Mahoning Democratic precinct committee members will meet at 10 a.m. March 3 at the Byzantine Center at the Grove on Shady Run Road in Youngstown to select Reardon's replacement.
What's required
Those interested in seeking the appointment must send a letter of interest and a r & eacute;sum & eacute; by Monday to Kenneth Carano, the party's executive vice chairman, at his home: 1906 Countryside Drive, Austintown 44515.
Reardon officially resigned Monday as county treasurer to be the state superintendent of financial institutions.
Antonini said she reconsidered her candidacy after receiving encouragement to run from numerous people.
Yemma, D-3rd, was considered the leading candidate and is the only announced one to date, to replace Reardon. Previously, Antonini said Yemma would be a strong candidate for the treasurer's position.
But support from party officials for Yemma started to disappear about two weeks ago. Reardon and Robert Wasko, Antonini's close political allies and friends, told Yemma on Feb. 9 that Antonini was interested in the job. That conversation led to a shouting match between Yemma and Reardon.
What was a concern
Antonini said last week that some people expressed concern about who was supporting Yemma.
Yemma confirmed the concern was about his relationship with county Commissioner Anthony Traficanti and county Administrator George Tablack. Both are Democrats but don't get along with party leadership. Yemma said the concern was misguided because no one controls him.
Antonini said Yemma's friendship with Traficanti and Tablack had nothing do to with her decision to run.
Before declaring himself a treasurer candidate, Yemma said he asked Antonini more than once if she wanted the post. Yemma said had she indicated her interest at the beginning, he wouldn't have thrown his hat into the ring.
"It's hard to get the vote from precinct committee members against the party chair," he said. "It's not a winnable race."
Yemma said he'll file nominating petitions by Thursday's filing deadline to run as a Struthers councilman-at large in the May 8 primary.
"I'll continue to maintain an interest in higher office at some point," he said.