Pugh, Clark ineligible for ballot

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Councilman James “Doc” Pugh will not appear on the ballot for the May 5 primary election as a candidate for the 6th Ward because he failed to provide enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions.

Pugh turned in 31 signatures, but only 20 were valid, said Kelly S. Pallante, Trumbull County elections board director. Pugh needed 25 valid signatures.

Some of the signatures were from outside his ward, and others were printed instead of cursive and therefore do not match the signatures on file at the board of elections, Pallante said.

Pugh was the only candidate filing to run in the 6th Ward.

Another candidate for Warren council, Prophet Kelly Lamar Clark, was also ruled ineligible to appear on the May ballot because he did not turn in enough valid signatures.

Clark, who was one of three candidates running for the 5th Ward council seat, turned in 35 signatures, but only seven were valid, Pallante said. He needed 25 valid signatures.

Many of the signatures were not from the 5th Ward, and some of the signers were not registered to vote, Pallante said.

Petitions by Vincent S. Flask, the incumbent in the 5th Ward, and Robert J. Reed, a challenger, contained enough valid signatures, making them eligible to run in May, Pallante said.

Pugh and Clark will have the option of running as an independent or write-in candidate in November, Pallante said.