March primary drawing more Republicans than usual

YOUNGSTOWN

While most incumbents in the Mahoning Valley won’t face challengers in the March 15 primary, several candidates gravitated toward the few open seats on the ballot.

In the race for the 63rd Ohio House District, which takes in a majority of Trumbull County, three Democrats and one Republican are seeking the seat. State Rep. Sean O’Brien, a Democrat from Bazetta, isn’t running for re-election in 2016, opting to capture the open 32nd Ohio Senate District seat.

The 32nd Senate seat is open, with incumbent Capri Cafaro, a Democrat from Liberty, unable to run next year because of the state term-limit law.

The retirement of Trumbull County Recorder Diane Marchese resulted in three fellow Democrats and a Republican filing to replace her. Two Republicans filed to replace retiring Columbiana County Coroner William A. Graham Jr., also a Republican.

In the three congressional districts that serve the Mahoning Valley, two of the incumbents will face primary challengers and all three have general-election opponents.

Read more about the races in Thursday's Vindicator and view the complete tri-county list on Vindy.com.