Candidates emerge for sheriff, commissioner

November 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

With two Mahoning County officeholders not seeking re-election, candidates are lining up to replace them in the 2012 election.

Former Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes will file his nominating petitions in a few days for Mahoning County sheriff.

At a Tuesday press conference, Hughes said his 34 years of experience on the Youngstown police force makes him an ideal candidate for sheriff.

Jerry Greene, a 22-year member of the sheriff’s office, already filed nominating petitions to replace Sheriff Randall Wellington.

Wellington, who isn’t seeking re-election next year, has served as sheriff since 1999.

Also, Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin plans to run, and James Lewandowski, who retired in May as the sheriff’s chief deputy, is considering a bid.

All would run in the March 6 Democratic primary.

Dec. 7 is the filing deadline for those running in primaries for county seats.

With county Commissioner John McNally IV’s Monday announcement that he would not run for re-election next year, a number of people are seeking to replace him.

Domenic Delmonte, a truck driver and heavy-equipment operator for Sebastiani Trucking in Canfield, and Richard “Oz” Ouzounian, who operates a Youngstown-based communications company, said they’ll be commissioner candidates in the Democratic primary.

Also, former Boardman Trustee Robyn Gallitto, Austintown Township Trustee David Ditzler and Walter “Buzz” Pishkur, director of business development for United Water and the former head of Forum Health and Aqua Ohio, are interested in the position.