Antonini era over; will resign party post Friday

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Lisa Antonini, democrat, Mahoning County Treasurer and former Chairwoman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party

YOUNGSTOWN — After nearly seven years as the first chairwoman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, Lisa Antonini will resign the post, as early as Friday.

Kenneth Carano, the party’s executive vice chairman and head of its elections committee, confirmed that Antonini told him she’s resigning Friday.

Antonini, elected chairwoman on June 11, 2002, didn’t return numerous telephone calls Wednesday and today to The Vindicator.

“She’s simply not interested in the day-to-day proceedings of being chairwoman,” Carano said. “The fire has gone out of her on the political end and she wants to focus on being treasurer.”

David Betras, a well-known local attorney, is already actively seeking the position. He’s met with numerous precinct committee members, who vote on the appointment, and plans to send information to each of them about his vision for the party’s future after Antonini’s resignation.

Betras declined Thursday to comment on Antonini’s impending resignation, but said he’d run if she resigned.

Other potential candidates for chair include Youngstown council President Charles Sammarone; his son, Chris, an attorney who unsuccessfully ran in 2006 for a court of appeals seat; Sam Matheny, who works at the county board of elections; and Jaladah Aslam, the party’s vice chairwoman in charge of labor relations.

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