Hanni withdraws, Sweeney likely will run unopposed for judgeship

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Democratic Party will not field a candidate against Judge Maureen Sweeney of common pleas court as no one stepped forward to replace Mark Hanni on the ballot.

Party Chairman David Betras had given applicants until 5 p.m. Friday to submit letters of interest for the seat. He received none.

“I didn’t think anyone would,” Betras said. “Incumbent judges seem to always win unless their opponent can raise a lot of money.”

Judge Sweeney faces no opposition in the general election. Those wanting to run as write-in candidates have until Aug. 25 to file.

Hanni withdrew from the race July 25. In a letter that day to Democratic precinct committee members, Hanni wrote that he couldn’t give the race “100 percent” and “it is better for the party to replace me with a candidate who can best serve the party ticket.”

Hanni originally had filed as a Democrat for a seat on the 7th District Court of Appeals, withdrew before the primary and ran unopposed as a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary for the seat held by Judge Sweeney, a Republican.

Hanni unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the court of appeals in 2012.

“Mark Hanni is not a serious candidate,” Betras said Friday. “He’s an annoyance.”

Read more in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.