Spending was heavy in sheriff campaigns

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Sheriff Randall Wellington didn’t have an opponent on the Democratic primary ballot, but he spent like he did.

Wellington succeeded in getting David P. Aey of Boardman removed as his opponent jumping over the final legal hurdle Feb. 26. That’s when a federal judge denied Aey’s injunction to get back on the ballot.

Two days later, Wellington of Youngstown, sheriff since 1999, loaned $30,000 to his campaign.

Wellington spent more than $50,000 on his campaign, about half of it between Feb. 14 and April 4, according to finance reports filed today with the county board of elections.

At least Wellington has something to show for his money.

Aey didn’t make it on to the ballot, but he spent close to $70,000 seeking the sheriff’s position.

The money spent on what turned out to not even be a race was small potatoes compared to the Democratic probate court judicial primary.

The three candidates in that judicial race spent more than $200,000 of their own money combined for a job that pays about $120,000 a year.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com