Kathy DiCristofaro set to become first female vice chairwoman of Trumbull Democrats in at least 20 years

By Ed Runyan | June 10, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

Don’t expect dramatic changes when Kathy DiCristofaro of Niles assumes the position of vice chairwoman of the Trumbull County Democratic Party at the party’s reorganization meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Trumbull Business College.

Though DiCristofaro is a longtime party Central Committee member, has served as Trumbull party secretary the past four years and is chairwoman of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus, she’s not expecting to make big changes in the party when she assumes the No. 2 position.

DiCristofaro, a teacher for the past 28 years and current literacy coach in Niles City Schools, says of her leadership style: “I kind of like to work in the background.”

DiCristofaro says Chairman Dan Polivka, a Trumbull County commissioner; Niles Mayor Ralph Infante; and DiCristofaro have filed the necessary 25 signatures with the party from Central Committee members, and there is no one opposing them being chosen chairman, secretary and vice chairman of the party, respectively.

That means she and Infante will be switching positions this year, and will become vice chairwoman of the party — the first female chairwoman or vice chairwoman in at least 20 years.

The reason for the change? The Democratic National Committee for about 20 years has required that one male and one female have the chair and vice chair positions.

But earlier this year, the Ohio Democratic Party wrote to the county parties to let them know that the rule will be enforced from this point forward, DiCristofaro said.

“So this is why we are making the change,” she said. “If we are the party of the big tent, I see why they put that language in there.”

The effect of her becoming vice chairwoman will be that she will become the person who would step in to take the place of Polivka in the event that he was unable to carry out the duties of chairman, she said. The secretary certifies party actions.

“It’s still going to be Dan, Ralph and [me]. We’ll still work together, maybe not under the same title,” she said. “Ralph has been a very effective party officer, and he’ll continue to be.”