Many unopposed in primary; few Republicans file

Mayors in several communities, including Warren, Niles, Hubbard and Leetonia as well as municipal court judicial candidates are getting free passes in the May 8 partisan primaries.

Of the 14 mayoral positions in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties up for election in the primary, nine won’t face opposition in their political party primaries.

Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien, a Democrat, is one of them, but he will face Republican Mary A. Theis, a real estate agent, in the November general election.

Also running unopposed are Niles Mayor Ralph Infante Jr. and Hubbard Mayor Arthur Magee, both Democrats.

The deadline for independent candidates to file is May 7, a day before the primary.

Poland Mayor Ruth Wilkes, a Republican, isn’t seeking re-election. The only person to file by today’s deadline to get on the primary ballot for Poland mayor is John H. Yerian III, who works for Butler Wick Co.

Some mayors will face opposition in the primary, including Girard, Struthers, Newton Falls and McDonald.

Of the seven Youngstown City Council positions, Democratic primaries will be held for five seats.

In Warren, there won’t be a citywide Democratic primary for the first time in at least a decade. The only Warren officeholder up for re-election this year facing a challenge is Councilman Robert Holmes, D-4th.

Besides Yerian in Poland and Theis in Warren, only two other people filed by Tuesday to run as Republicans in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Only nine Republicans filed for races in Columbiana County.

For full story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.