Three in race to lead Mahoning Democrats

By David Skolnick

The party’s precinct committee members will vote Monday on a new chairman and treasurer.

YOUNGSTOWN — Three candidates will vie to be the next Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman.

Those interested in the position had until 6 p.m. Tuesday to submit letters of intent.

Those who turned in the letters before the deadline were:

UAtty. David Betras of Canfield, who’s passed out a seven-page plan for the party’s future to the county Democratic precinct committee men and women, who elect the party chairman.

UJaladah Aslam of Austintown, the party’s vice chairwoman of labor relations and a member of the Ohio Democratic Party state executive committee.

UMike Klim of Poland, a former New Middletown mayor and councilman and vice president of the South County Democrats, a local political club.

Youngstown Council President Charles Sammarone was going to apply for the position. But Sammarone, who was on vacation until Tuesday, failed to turn in a letter of intent by the deadline, said acting party Chairman Kenneth Carano.

County Treasurer Lisa Antonini resigned April 10 as party chairwoman after nearly seven years at that post.

The precinct committee members will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday to elect a chairman as well as a party treasurer.

Donna Wilson resigned as treasurer about six months ago, and the post has been vacant since.

Four people turned in letters of intent by Tuesday to seek that position.

They are:

ULyndsey Hughes of Youngstown, the city’s downtown director of special events and special projects. She is the former Mahoning Valley field director for the Ohio Democratic Party.

UJanet Kust, a precinct committeewoman from Campbell and the office manager at Betras’ law firm.

UBeth Stanko, a Boardman precinct committeewoman and long-time party activist.

URichard Clautti, a precinct committeeman from Boardman.

Also, each candidate for both positions had to provide the signatures and addresses of at least five precinct committee members on the letter of intent, a formal petition that was available from Carano, or on a piece of paper by 6 p.m. Saturday.

As of Tuesday evening, Betras was the only candidate to submit that document, Carano said.

skolnick@vindy.com