Austintown’s Ditzler to run for county commissioner

David Ditzler’s victory in his primary race for Mahoning County commissioner pits him against three other candidates in November.

Ditzler, an Austintown trustee, finished with just more than half of the total votes, 50.16 percent.

Walter Pishkur of Boardman followed with 28.54 percent; Joe Louis Teague of Youngstown, 6.82; Patrick M. Chrystal of Youngstown, 5.99; Domenic DelMonte of Austintown, 4.80 percent; and Richard Oz Ouzounian of Boardman, 3.69.

The seat was vacated when current Commissioner John McNally IV decided not to seek re-election.

Ditzler will face Republican David V. Rossi of Boardman, Green Party candidate Howard Markert of Youngstown and independent candidate Edward L. Goldner Jr. of Berlin Center, in the general election.

Ditzler, who maintained a comfortable distance over Pishkur throughout the evening, said he was surprised but pleased with the outcome.

Pishkur was unavailable to comment Tuesday night.

“I wanted one more vote than the next guy,” Ditzler said. “I had a lot of good people behind me.”

Ditzler said he believes his endorsement by the Mahoning County Democratic Party is what helped push him to victory.

“My endorsement was from 300 precinct community people,” he said. “They all have a good finger on the pulse of what the community wants.”

Ditzler said previously that 18 years as a township trustee and nearly 30 years in business make him the most well-rounded candidate in the field.

He said as commissioner he would focus on government consolidation to save money. He pointed to the courts, fire districts and emergency 911 centers as areas for consolidation.

“Poor leadership” is the reason little consolidation in the county has occurred, Ditzler said.

Now that the primary election is behind him, Ditzler said he plans to take some time off from campaigning before diving back in for the general election.

“We’ll take some time and then start all over again,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure we work hard for the general election in November.”

Ditzler raised $46,575 between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15. for his primary-election campaign.

He also has $24,200 in loans owed to his campaign, according to Vindicator archives.