2 judges picked by governor seek seats Will Strickland tie help at polls?

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

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 hard-core 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.

Louis M. DeFabio of Canfield, who is challenging Judge Franken, acknowledges that the tie to Strickland will help the judge at the polls.

“It means something to the public with a popular governor appointing and supporting him,” he said. “It’s the angle he’s taking and it’s a good tactic. If I was appointed by the governor, I’d use that tactic as well. It may translate into votes.”

Paul Sracic, chairman of Youngstown State University’s political science department, agrees.

“Given how popular Strickland is and the way people think of politics around here — you want to be on the governor’s side particularly when it comes to needing money for local projects — the inclination is to go with the governor’s choices,” he said. “It’s really clever to play up the popularity of Strickland. It carries a lot of weight and makes them the presumptive favorites.”

But some challengers in the two judicial races are playing down the two judges’ ties to the governor.

“It was a well-known fact that the governor would appoint Mark Belinky,” said Judge James Lanzo of Struthers Municipal Court, who is running for the probate court seat. “... I wouldn’t listen to one man.”

Susan Maruca of Poland, who’s also challenging Judge Belinky, said the governor’s appointment was to have Judge Belinky finish an unexpired term and not to anoint him as the probate court judge without an election.

“The intention isn’t to discourage others from running for office,” she said.

Lou A. D’Apolito of Boardman, one of three candidates challenging Judge Franken, said the governor is certainly popular in the county, but his endorsement is essentially meaningless in the judicial race.

“I don’t believe the Mahoning Valley listens to that stuff,” he said. “Mahoning Valley voters decide for themselves.”

John Jeffrey Limbian of Youngstown said no voter has mentioned Strickland’s support of Judge Franken while he campaigns.

“I don’t know if it plays a factor,” he said. “The governor decided to select Tim Franken as a temporary appointment until an election could be held and voters could decide. The voters will analyze the qualifications and make an informed decision.”

skolnick@vindy.com