Struthers incumbents win

STRUTHERS

For the past decade Democratic primaries in this city haven’t been kind to incumbents.

But not this time.

All the incumbents on the ballot won Tuesday’s primary.

The three at-large council members as well as those in the 1st and 4th Wards faced opposition and won.

Leading the way in the at-large race was Councilman Michael S. Patrick with 26.5 percent of the vote, followed by Ronald Mathews with 26.2 percent and Daniel R. Yemma with 24.8 percent. Danny Morgan, the only non-incumbent in the race, lost with 22.5 percent of the vote.

“The voters must be pleased with what’s happening, the direction we’ve taken and the direction we’re going,” Yemma said. “It wasn’t a very exciting or controversial election, unlike previous years.”

Mathews said voters supported the incumbents because they balanced the city budget without any layoffs.

“I look forward to continue working with the members of council,” said Mathews, who’s served 20 years on council.

Patrick said he won because “I work hard every day of my life in addressing my citizens’ concerns and putting Struthers in a positive light.”

The closest race in Struthers was in the 1st Ward. Incumbent Tony Fire beat Anthony R. Protopapa Jr., a former council president and 1st Ward councilman, 197 to 173.

The incumbent mayor, auditor, municipal court judge, council president and council members in the 2nd and 3rd Wards ran unopposed. Also, Dominic R. Leone III was the only candidate for law director. Come January, he’ll replace Carol Clemente-Wagner, who didn’t run for re-election.

There are no Republican candidates running for office in November. The lone independent candidate is Phil DeMarco Jr., who is challenging Mayor Terry P. Stocker in the general election.