Other independents file for Valley races

May 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

Two candidates filed nominating petitions to run as independent candidates for Mahoning County auditor.

Michael Sciortino, a Democrat seeking re-election, is one of the main figures in the investigation of the county’s Oakhill Renaissance Place purchase.

Special prosecutors are investigating potential conflicts of interest concerning the county’s purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place in 2006 and the opposition it received from certain county officials, including Sciortino.

Sciortino of Austintown insists he’s done nothing illegal. He faces Andrew D’Apolito of Canfield in today’s Democratic primary.

Michael Fortine of Canfield and Joe Markovitch of Boardman filed nominating petitions Monday to run as independent candidates for auditor.

Monday was the deadline to file as an independent candidate. County elections boards have until July 15 to certify the validity of independent candidates’ petitions.

This is Markovitch’s first run for elected office.

Fortine, a certified public accountant, finished fifth out of six candidates seeking the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s appointment to fill the then-vacant auditor’s position in 2005. The party selected Sciortino.

In Trumbull County, independent filings include:

Randy Law of Warren for the 64th Ohio House District race.

Law served in that position as a Republican from 2005 to 2006, losing to Democrat Tom Letson of Warren, who’s held the position since 2007.

Letson is running for re-election, facing Warren Councilman Vincent S. Flask in today’s Democratic primary.

Werner Lange of Newton Falls, who’s unsuccessfully run at least four times for elected office, filed for the 65th Ohio House District seat.

Also:

Cory McCusker of Poland filed Monday with the Columbiana County Board of Elections to run as independent in the 6th Congressional District.

McCusker was disqualified earlier this year as a Libertarian in the same race because he did not have enough valid signatures.

Contributors: D.A. Wilkinson and Ed Runyan, Vindicator staff writers