Rusu, Robb win judicial contests

YOUNGSTOWN

Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. has won the race for a full term as Mahoning County probate judge, and Judge Carol Robb has won an eight-county race for 7th District Court of Appeals judge.

In the contest for the $121,350-a-year probate court judgeship, the incumbent, Judge Rusu, 47, of Canfield, an independent candidate, was challenged by Atty. Susan Maruca, 45, of Poland, a Democrat, for a six-year term.

Judge Rusu, who won by a 52 to 48 percent margin, said some people told him an independent judicial candidate couldn’t win in Mahoning County.

In the race for the $132,000-a-year appeals court judgeship, Republican Judge Carol Robb of Columbiana County Municipal Court, who turned 62 on Tuesday and resides in New Waterford, faced Democrat Anthony Donofrio, 55, of Younstown, deputy Youngstown law director.

Judge Robb won the eight-county race by 71,439 to Donofrio’ 63,169 votes.

Neither appeals court candidate could be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

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