‘Back to Future’ scenario in Dem race for county bid | News, Sports, Jobs

WARREN — If Trumbull County was the setting for a “Back to the Future” movie remake, Michael J. O’Brien would be playing the part of Marty McFly — the movie series’ main character.

The longtime public officeholder is trying to return to a job he had in the 1990s: Trumbull County commissioner.

O’Brien will be on the May 3 Democratic primary ballot challenging fellow party member David Guarino for the seat now held by the retiring Frank Fuda. Three Republicans are fighting for that party’s nomination for commissioner, setting up a spirited battle for party control of leadership in the county.

In his endorsement interview last month before newspaper editors and reporters, O’Brien said he is focusing only on his primary opponent, saying he considers himself the more qualified candidate for commissioner.

Guarino, of Warren, a former employee of the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, did not send in his candidate questionnaire nor did he respond to questions texted to him. Guarino in 2020 unsuccessfully sought a Democratic nomination for commissioner when he ran against then-incumbent Dan Polivka.

O’Brien, 66, who has served as a Warren councilman and mayor, as well as being the current state representative serving the district the city lies within, answers his critics who complain about his age and / or the fact that he always seems to be seeking a different elected office.

“I don’t make any excuses for giving quality public service for 37 years,” O’Brien said, adding: “I have qwe123as much energy now as when I joined Warren City Council at age 24.”

O’Brien said his parents taught him at a young age about public service and giving back to his community. Margaret O’Brien was a longtime county clerk of courts and Democrat party leader, while his dad was a fire department dispatcher who battled disabilities.

O’Brien points to his accomplishments during 37 years as an elected official, including 10 years as a commissioner beginning in the 1990s.

“Among other things, we restored the historic courthouse, built a new county jail, remodeled the county administration building and combined all farm agencies into one building in Cortland,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said he could be a unifying presence on a board that has been hampered by personal insults and political barbs.

“My signature as commissioner and as mayor of Warren was to work in the spirit of cooperation. I’ve worked with 50 different city councilmen and two sets of county commissioners and 98 state reps.”

He said he doesn’t anticipate having any personal problems with either of the two commissioners currently serving their terms.

As for the business of running the county, O’Brien said: “I want to be about the process. There are many doors to open.”

He terms himself a “hands-on” executive who pays attention to details.

He said the county board could play vital roles in supplying the infrastructure needs in building the “Voltage Valley” in Lordstown, as well a supplying access roads or extending broadband to the areas around the former WCI Steel property on the southeast side of Warren.

He also said sanitary sewers could be extended to the Mosquito Lake area of Bazetta, where the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is planning a new marina and campgrounds.

As for the tag of being a continual office seeker, O’Brien said he enjoys what he does, citing that before becoming a councilman back in the 1980s, he worked as a probation officer in juvenile court and worked for the Warren Police Department.

Michael J. O’Brien

AGE: 66

ADDRESS: 1849 Edgewood St. NE, Warren

PARTY: Democrat

ELECTED OFFICES: 1982-87, Warren 4th Ward councilman; 1988-92, Warren at-Large councilman; 1993-2003, Trumbull County commissioner; 2004-2011, Warren mayor; 2015-present, 54th District state representative.

QUOTE: “I have as much energy now as when I joined Warren City Council at age 24.”

David Guarino

Did not respond to a candidate questionnaire from the Tribune Chronicle