Carol Rimedio-Righetti will run for Mahoning County commissioner

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti will run in next year’s Democratic primary for Mahoning County commissioner, even if incumbent David Ludt, a fellow Democrat, seeks re-election.

Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th, was to file candidacy paperwork Wednesday with the county board of elections for the position. The filing deadline for the May 2010 primary is Feb. 18.

Rimedio-Righetti was elected to council in 2003 and was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2007. Her ward takes in most of the city’s West Side and is the most populated ward in Youngstown. Because of the city’s term-limits law, she cannot run for a third term in 2011.

“I need to file early so I do what is necessary to be elected,” Rimedio-Righetti said.

That includes organizing her supporters, meeting with people countywide to discuss their concerns, and raising money, she said.

Ludt said he’ll run for re-election as long as a physical he’ll take next month gives him a clean bill of health.

“That’s the only thing holding me back,” said Ludt, first elected commissioner in 1998. “I feel good; no problems right now. If I pass the physical, I’m a go” for re-election.

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