Candidate will run as write-in

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Rhonda J. Bennett of 633 Hoyt Street S.W. has filed with the Trumbull County Board of Elections to run as a write-in candidate for Warren City Council’s 6th Ward race.

The deadline to file as a write-in candidate was at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Bennett is the only candidate running for the seat so far.

Her name won’t appear on the ballot, but as long as 25 voters write in her name on a paper ballot or type it in on a voting machine, she will move on to the November election, said Jodi Fiorenzo Dibble, elections board deputy director.

The elections board ruled last month that the petitions of incumbent 6th Ward Councilman James A. “Doc” Pugh of 548 Phillips Drive S.W., did not contain enough valid signatures for him to appear on the ballot for the May 5 primary.

Pugh filed petitions to run in the Democratic primary, but some of the signatures on them were invalid because they were from outside his ward. Others were invalid because they were printed instead of cursive and therefore do not match the signatures on file at the board of elections, officials said.

Fiorenzo Dibble said the other option for getting on the November ballot is to run as in independent. The deadline to submit at least 25 valid signatures on a petition as independent candidate is May 4.

There were no write-in candidates in Mahoning or Columbiana counties.