Races for Lake County offices are beginning to heat up as the Elections Board saw a number of people turn in candidacy petitions this past week.

So far, nearly every elected county office on the ballot next year has had at least one candidate file for the position.

For the county commissioner seat currently held by Raymond E. Sines, it’s possible there could be a Democratic primary.

Willowick Council President Judy Moran filed for commissioner to run for this seat, but will Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski also file to create a contested primary?

Sines has yet to officially announce what he plans to do.

Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish has filed for re-election. 

Will Leroy Township Trustee Linda Burhenne, a Republican, file to run against him? Any other Republicans or Democrats?

Mentor Councilman at large Scott Marn says he won’t run for county commissioner, but will he run for county treasurer?

We’re still waiting to see if Commissioner Daniel P. Troy will run for state representative as many fans want him to do. He’s not up for re-election next year, by the way.

 

A new Geauga

With Geauga County soon to be divided during the next election due to reapportionment, there will be two Ohio Senate and two Ohio House districts within the county.

The new Ohio Senate 25th District will include all of Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, plus Aquilla, Chardon, Claridon Township, Hambden Township, Huntsburg Township, Montville Township, Thompson Township in Geauga County.

That district is represented by Ohio Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro, a Hubbard Democrat, who is up for re-election next year.

With the inclusion of part of Geauga, which is traditionally Republican, will a potential Republican candidate from Geauga emerge to run against Cafaro in 2012?

Candidate filings

Other people who have recently filed candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board include state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende for Lake County treasurer; 11th District Court of Appeals Court Judge Mary Jane Trapp for re-election; 11th District Court of Appeals Court Judge Diane V. Grendell for re-election; Lake County Coroner Lynn A. Smith for re-election; Lake County Engineer James R. Gills for re-election; and state Rep. Ron Young filed for Ohio House of Representatives 61st District.

Deadline

The deadline to submit information for this column is 5 p.m. each Wednesday. Email and faxes are preferred.

Fundies

n Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Vincent A. Culotta will host a cocktail and buffet reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Express Hotel Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. See Catherine Garner or I. James Hackenberg.

n Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard L. Collins Jr. campaign kickoff from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, at LaMalfa in Mentor. See Terry Gerred-Ditchcreek.

n Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Eugene A. Lucci fundraiser 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, at LaMalfa in Mentor. See Walt McNamara.

n Geauga County Republican Party Christmas Party begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club, Bainbridge Township. See Frank or Bernadette Gliha.

n Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County recorder, campaign kickoff 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6 at Cork’s Wine Bar in Willoughby. See Susan Culotta.

n Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, campaign kickoff from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Capelli’s in Mentor. See Kathy Russo.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah