Poland attorney won’t be Democratic candidate for Mahoning County commissioner

By DAVID SKOLNICK

skolnick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

And then there were two.

David C. Comstock Jr. of Poland, an attorney and longtime chief of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District in Poland, withdrew Monday as a Democratic candidate for Mahoning County commissioner.

Photo

David Comstock

That leaves two candidates in the May 4 Democratic candidate: incumbent David N. Ludt, seeking his fourth four-year term; and Youngstown Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti. She’s served as the city’s 4th Ward councilwoman since 2004.

Comstock wrote a letter Monday to the county board of elections announcing his withdrawal as a commissioner candidate. He didn’t give an explanation for pulling out of the race. He couldn’t be reached Monday by The Vindicator to comment.

Ludt and Rimedio-Righetti said Comstock’s withdrawal will benefit their campaigns.

Rimedio-Righetti said voters looking for a change from the current county administration will gravitate to her campaign.

Ludt said he was instrumental in establishing the fire district when he served as a Poland village councilman. Comstock is the district’s fire chief.

“This will improve my chances, because he would have pulled votes from me because of the fire district and because we’re both from Poland,” Ludt said.

Comstock had said he planned to seek only one four-year term as county commissioner if elected and that he favors exploring the replacement of the present three-commissioner system with a charter form of government.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Don Manning of North Lima in the November general election.

Also, those wanting to run as an independent candidate have until May 3, the day before the primary.