43
Many file nominating petitions before deadline
Several incumbents who’ve filed to run for re-election don’t have opponents so far.
YOUNGSTOWN — The filing deadline to run in the May 4 primary isn’t for another week, but some candidates — including several incumbents — aren’t waiting.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat from St. Clairsville, filed nominating petitions to seek a third two-year term serving the 12-county 6th Congressional District.
Though no Democrats have filed to challenge Wilson, four other candidates have submitted nominating petitions to challenge the incumbent.
Donald K. Allen of Boardman and Sam Hepfner of Salem have filed as Republicans in the district that includes all of Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County.
At least one other Republican is expected to run for the position.
Also, Corey McCusker of Poland has filed as a Libertarian candidate, and Richard E. Cadle of North Jackson is a Constitution Party candidate, both for the 6th District seat.
Feb. 18 is the filing deadline for candidates wanting to run in the May primary.
Those running as independents have until May 3, the day before the primary, to file nominating petitions.
Joe Schiavoni of Canfield was chosen among a large field of candidates in December 2008 by the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus to fill the unexpired term of then-state Sen. John Boccieri, who resigned to serve in the U.S. House.
Schiavoni, D-33rd, is running this year for a full four-year term to the Ohio Senate.
As of Tuesday, the only other candidate to submit nominating petitions for the seat is Democrat Kathleen Purdy of Alliance, who unsuccessfully sought the appointment to succeed Boccieri.
The district includes all of Mahoning and Carroll counties and portions of Stark and Tuscarawas counties.
The only open state legislative position in the Mahoning Valley is the 65th Ohio House District, which takes in much of southern Trumbull County.
State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood, a Democrat from Niles, is serving her fourth two-year term. State law prohibits her from seeking another term.
Michael V. Boccia, a Niles Democrat, is the only candidate to file nominating petitions as of Tuesday for the seat.
Three other Democrats have declared their candidacy for the position and say they’ll file to run for the open seat.
They are: J.D. Williams of Liberty, Sean J. O’Brien of Niles and Niles Councilman Edward Stredney. Also, others are considering runs for the job.
So far, incumbent state Reps. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th; Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th; and Tom Letson of Warren, D-64th, have no challengers.
Other incumbents who’ve filed without any opposition so far include: Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino of Austintown, Mahoning Common Pleas Judge James C. Evans of Canfield, Mahoning Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick of Canfield, Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda of Niles, Trumbull County Auditor Adrian Biviano of Niles, and Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Cortland.
All are Democrats except Judge Dellick, who’s a Republican.
skolnick@vindy.com