Aey may seek sheriff's seat as a write-in

YOUNGSTOWN — David P. Aey, disqualified by the Ohio Supreme Court as a Mahoning County sheriff candidate, is looking to seek the seat as a write-in candidate.

Ohio Secretary of State’s spokesman said today that an October 2007 Supreme Court decision says such an action can now be done.

That means Aey of Boardman, a former deputy sheriff, can file as a write-in candidate. The deadline for write-ins to file is Wednesday.

However, his eligibility is another story.

Aey was removed from the Democratic primary ballot by the Ohio Supreme Court in February.

The court rules Feb. 14 that Aey wasn’t eligible because he lacks two years of supervisory peace officer experience at the rank of corporal or above, which state law requires of candidates for sheriff.

A federal judge upheld that court’s decision on Feb. 26.

Aey hasn’t done anything since that decision to obtain those two years of supervisory experience.

Aey couldn’t be reached today to comment. But he obtained a write-in declaration form Tuesday from the county board of elections and there are signs urging voters to write-in Aey’s name on the November ballot.

Sheriff Randall Wellington says he would consider taking legal action against Aey should he be certified as a write-in candidate.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com