Only three applied to replace Gerberry

COLUMBUS — The three candidates who received recommendations from the Mahoning County Democratic Party to fill a vacant state House seat were the only ones seeking the appointment by the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, which will pick the new representative.

Those applying by the late Monday deadline were John Boccieri, a former congressman, Ohio representative and senator; former Boardman Trustee Robyn Gallitto; and John Landers, a Boardman school board member.

The county Democratic Party was asked by the caucus to give their top three recommended candidates.

In a vote last Wednesday of the local party’s central and executive committee, Boccieri was the overwhelming choice with 42 of the 53 total votes for the vacant 59th Ohio House District seat.

Gallitto received 6 votes and Landers got 4. One vote went to Tom Lyden of Boardman.

A caucus committee will meet shortly with the three candidates and recommend one to the full 33-member caucus for a vote. The House would then confirm the caucus’ choice as a formality. That House vote is likely to be either Sept. 29 or Oct. 7.

The seat was vacated when Ronald V. Gerberry, an Austintown Democrat, resigned Aug. 21, the same day he was convicted of unlawful compensation of a public official.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.