Wellington could be alone on November ballot

YOUNGSTOWN — Three independent sheriff candidates and one seeking an Ohio House seat are expected to be ruled ineligible to run for office Tuesday by the Mahoning County Board of Elections, its director said.

If the three sheriff candidates are disqualified, Sheriff Randall Wellington, a Youngstown Democrat, will run unopposed.

According to elections Director Thomas McCabe, the candidates expected to be disqualified are:

UJames S. Horvath of Boardman, a retired sheriff’s department lieutenant. Horvath doesn’t have enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions.

UJohn Martynyszyn of Youngstown, a former sheriff’s department corporal. He voted in the Democratic primary March 4, the day after he filed to run as an independent candidate. A 2007 opinion from the Ohio secretary of state’s office states if a candidate votes in a party primary election after filing as an independent, that person is no longer considered an independent and is thus disqualified.

UHoward Faison of Youngstown, a retired sheriff’s department captain. Faison retired from the department May 1, 2003. To be eligible to run for sheriff, a person needed state peace officer training within three or four years of their retirement, depending on their job classification. Faison has failed to submit documentation proving he had the training.

If he can show it, McCabe said, Faison can remain a candidate.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.