40-year officeholder facing Canfield Republican next month

YOUNGSTOWN

State Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry, a Democrat who’s served continuously in elected office for more than 40 years, including nearly 27 in the Ohio House, is seeking re-election this fall to his current seat.

Standing in Gerberry’s way of another two-year term representing the 59th House District is Republican Paul D. Mitchell of Canfield, who’s never run before for political office.

Because of state term limits this will be the last time Gerberry, 61, of Austintown, can run for his position until 2018, but he says that’s unlikely.

If re-elected, Gerberry said, “There may not be anything for me. Never say never. I’m not closing doors, but I’m not planning my next step.”

Based on Gerberry’s election record — winning 17 straight elections — it’s going to be challenging for Mitchell to beat him.

Gerberry paints a bleak picture of the state Legislature.

“We’ve created a General Assembly that mirrors the U.S. House of Representatives with every idea from the minority party is wrong and every idea from the majority party is right,” he said. “Unfortunately for the people of the state of Ohio, if things don’t change in relation to the balance of government, nothing is going to improve.”

Even so, Gerberry says he’s been effective in the Ohio House.

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