Dennis Malloy, Michael O’Brien deserve party nods for commissioner | News, Sports, Jobs

Three Republicans and two Democrats are competing in two primary races, hoping eventually to replace Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda, retiring at the end of the year.

Republicans Rick Hernandez of Hubbard Township, Dennis Malloy of Bazetta and Christina Lee of Warren are competing for their party’s nomination.

Meanwhile, David M. Guarino of Howland is facing longtime politician Michael J. O’Brien of Warren, in the Democratic primary.

The successful nominees will face one another and any late additions of write-ins or non-party candidates in the November general election.

REPUBLICAN RACE

Hubbard Township trustee Rick Hernandez, now in his fifth year, is impressive in his understanding of issues and passion for the community and the county.

Hernandez brings a strong knowledge of operations because he’s seen it from many sides. In addition to his duties as an elected official, he also is a small business owner, operating for many years Hern Motors in Hubbard. Additionally, he is an entertainer — a founding member of the popular Hern Brothers Band.

Hernandez lists his priorities in the race as maintaining the environment, particularly through his opposition of injection wells in Trumbull County.

“I’ve been fighting landfills for years,” Hernandez said.

Also, he wants to utilize American Rescue Plan funds and other grants to study and improve infrastructure, particularly for sanitary sewer development.

Hernandez was not shy about his concerns regarding the current state of Trumbull County government. He described it as “chaotic.” He’s right about that.

But he’s confident he will be able to work through the never-ending squabbles and heated arguments routinely occurring between Commissioner Niki Frenchko, a newly elected Republican, and Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa, the longtime Democratic officeholder.

Hernandez says he hopes to restore order within the county commissioners office, working to “unite, not divide.”

Echoing that sentiment was Republican candidate Dennis Malloy, who described himself as a “peacemaker” and “problem solver.”

Regarding Frenchko, Malloy said he believes some of her ideas are good; however, she falls short in temperament and attitude.

Malloy ran unsuccessfully for commissioner in 2018 against Cantalamessa, receiving 47 percent of the vote. Malloy was a registered Democrat most of his life, but moved to center as an independent in 2018; and now to the right. He says he no longer identifies with far left positions of Democrats, and more closely identifies with GOP positions.

“If we all could be independents, we’d all be better off,” Malloy stated.

The third Republican candidate, Christina Lee, declined to participate in our endorsement process.

The political newcomer is being backed by Frenchko, according to Frenchko’s campaign social media sites.

Frenchko’s campaign site describes Lee as “a financial adviser” who is “astutely knowledgeable of best financial practices for government.”

We believe Republican voters would not go wrong in voting for either Hernandez or Malloy. Both are knowledgeable, logical thinkers.

Hernandez brings experience in both the public and private sector.

However, at the end of the day, we prefer Malloy for the Republican nomination. Malloy brings fresh ideas about turning attention from the county’s larger cities, and he would work for economic growth in outlying areas, including the Mosquito Lake region.

“We need equal representation for all of our townships,” Malloy said, calling many Trumbull County townships “grossly underrepresented.”

We endorse Malloy for the Republican nomination for Trumbull County commissioner.

DEMOCRATIC RACE

In the Democratic Party primary for commissioner, state Rep. Michael O’Brien of Warren is challenging David M. Guarino of Howland.

This newspaper endorses O’Brien.

With 40 years of public service, few could argue the veteran politician has not gained considerable, valuable experience crafting and executing public policy on city, county and state levels. In fact, he already has served in the county commissioner seat he’s seeking, from 1993 to 2003.

That gives O’Brien a leg up over virtually any opponent in understanding ins and outs of county government and how state government could best assist local communities.

O’Brien was the Democrat leader in the Ohio House of Representatives’ legislation passed in 2020 to modernize and expand the state’s broadband internet access network. He’s also leading the charge to enact a new and constitutional system for funding Ohio schools.

His goals, if nominated and elected commissioner, include economic development with a strong eye toward infrastructure needs and possible tax abatements for industries that might strengthen Voltage Valley corridor in Lordstown, Golden Triangle region and the massive tract of former WCI Steel property in the Warren area.

He also vows to make monitoring finances a top priority. Given his experience in handling taxpayer dollars, we’re confident O’Brien would be up to that task.

Guarino, O’Brien’s challenger in the Democratic primary, declined to respond to a mailed election candidate questionnaire and a voicemail message from this newspaper, and he did not respond to our invitation for an interview with the editorial board.