Ohio House committee begins task of choosing Gerberry replacement

COLUMBUS — A five-member screening committee of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus met today with the three candidates vying for the vacant 59th House District seat.

The three are: John Boccieri, a former congressman, Ohio representative and senator; former Boardman Trustee Robyn Gallitto, an attorney; and John Landers, a Boardman school-board member. Boccieri is seen as the front-runner.

The committee is likely to make a recommendation to the party’s leadership shortly with the full 33-member caucus selecting one of the three as early as Tuesday. The House would then confirm the caucus’ choice as a formality.

The term runs through Dec. 31, 2016.

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.