Appointed judges count on Strickland support

YOUNGSTOWN — The two judges appointed by Ted Strickland to seats in Mahoning County hope that some of the governor’s popularity rubs off on them as they run for election.

Of all the races on the March 4 primary ballot, the two Strickland appointees — Probate Court Judge Mark Belinky and Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Franken — have the most challengers.

Judge Belinky of Boardman faces two Democratic opponents in the primary with Republican Scott Hunter waiting to take on the winner in the November general election.

Judge Franken of Beaver Township has three Democratic primary challengers. No Republican filed for the seat.

Both judges say the Strickland support gives them a leg up on the competition.

Also, it gives them the power of incumbency — something neither has had before. Before the appointments, the two judges ran for office without any success.

“He’s the most popular statewide Democratic officeholder,” Judge Belinky said of Strickland. “His support certainly can’t hurt. People tend to vote for a candidate based on how he does his job and not who supports him. But I’ve had hardcore Democrats who say they’re for me just because the governor appointed me.”

The judge mentions the governor’s support in his campaign advertising.

Judge Franken has taken the Strickland connection much further. Besides filming a campaign commercial with the governor, many of the judge’s yard signs include the phrase: “Governor Strickland’s Choice.”

“He’s a very popular governor, particularly around here,” Judge Franken said.

Read the full story and see profiles of all candidates in Mahoning County’s judicial races Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.