Betras spews venom after contentious party election today

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras took a few moments to savor his re-election victory before turning his attention to those who opposed his candidacy.

At the top of the list was Mark Hanni, Democratic nominee for a county common pleas court seat. Judicial candidates aren’t permitted to involve themselves in partisan politics under the judicial code of conduct, and Hanni called precinct committee members on behalf of Socrates Kolitsos, another chairman candidate, Betras said.

Betras said of Hanni: “He will not be getting the support of the Democratic Party in this upcoming race. He will not be on any literature of the Democratic Party. He will not be part of the coordinated campaign.”

Hanni attended Saturday’s vote by precinct committee members. vote. He received 134 votes compared to 54 for Kolitsos and 3 for Rick Berger.

Kolitsos said Hanni didn’t tell him he was backing his candidacy, and wasn’t involved in his campaign.

Read more of the remarks and results of the Republican election in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.