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Republican nominee for Mahoning auditor quits race
YOUNGSTOWN
Bill Reese, the Republican nominee for Mahoning County auditor, is withdrawing from the race because of health issues.
It’s the latest turn of events in one of the more peculiar races on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Democratic nominee is incumbent Michael Sciortino, who is under a 22-count criminal indictment charged with political corruption allegations. A three-member commission of retired judges appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court is deciding whether to suspend Sciortino with pay.
That decision was expected July 24, based on the process in a state law about suspending public officials under indictment, but the decision hasn’t been announced to date.
“The commission has not provided me with a report to release” about Sciortino, said Chris Davey, an Ohio Supreme Court spokesman.
Sciortino, who makes $89,109 a year as auditor, faces 16 felony counts and six misdemeanor counts including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, bribery, perjury, money laundering and tampering with records.
Sciortino; Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally, a Democrat; and attorney Martin Yavorcik, who lost the 2008 county prosecutor’s race as an independent candidate, were indicted May 14 in Cuyahoga County on 83 total political corruption charges.
The three say they are innocent.
“We are grateful that Bill is recovering from his unexpected surgery and wish him well for a speedy recovery,” said county Republican Party Chairman Mark Mun- roe. “Bill’s pending departure from the auditor’s race is a major disappointment. He would have brought a wealth of government and practical business experience to the auditor’s office.”
The county GOP will meet at 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at party headquarters, 621 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman, to select a candidate to replace Reese, a former Canfield Township trustee.
Under state law, the deadline to name a replacement candidate for those who withdraw is 4 p.m. Aug. 11.
Munroe asked people interested in the job to call party headquarters at 330-629-7006 or email him at mahoning.co.gop@gmail.com.
The party will take interested applicants up until the start of the Aug. 10 meeting, Munroe said.
“With the current auditor under indictment and facing possible suspension, it’s urgent that we reach out to find the best possible candidate to fill this very important county office,” Munroe said.
It is a certainty that the preliminary decision from the commission investigating Sciortino was to suspend him, based on the process as outlined in the state law that created the commission. But the commission has delayed making a decision.
The local Democratic Party would also have until Aug. 11 to replace Sciortino if he resigns, but he’s shown no willingness to quit his office and the race even if he’s suspended.