Now that Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy has won the Democratic Party nomination to run Nov. 6 for the Ohio House of Representatives District 60 seat, what might happen if he is elected to serve in Columbus?

First of all, Troy must defeat Painesville Councilwoman Lori DiNallo, who was unopposed in the Republican Party primary. 

The Nov. 6 election is several months away so anything can happen as the new campaign season begins.

But it’s time for speculation and if Troy does win, there would be another opening on the three-member Lake County Board of Commissioners. If not, Troy still has two years remaining on his four-year term as commissioner.

Regardless, the county Commission will be different next year, no matter what, because Commissioner Raymond E. Sines, a Perry Village Republican, chose not to seek re-election.

Willoughby Hills Councilman at large David M. Fiebig and Willowick Councilwoman Judy Moran will square off to see who wins that seat.

Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, a Wickliffe Democrat, won his primary and faces Madison Village Councilman John Hamercheck, a Republican.

So what if Troy wins? The Lake County Democratic Party would then get to appoint a new county commissioner to replace him.

I believe whoever gets the appointment greatly depends on how the Nov. 6 election unfolds.

What if Fiebig defeats Moran? She’s run twice for commissioner, so it’s no secret she would like the job.

Say state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, a candidate for Lake County treasurer, is unsuccessful in her bid for the position against former Concord Township Trustee Bob Patterson, a Republican. She would most likely be interested in the appointment.

If Fende wins election as treasurer, how about Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers or Eastlake Councilwoman Laura DePledge, who both just lost a three-way primary to Fende?

Word is that former state Rep. Mark Schneider, a Mentor Democrat, might be interested especially after he just won election to the Ohio Democratic Party’s state Central Committee.

How about Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin Malecek, a Democrat who is the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce executive director and Laketran Board of Trustees chairman? Malecek is a member of the county Democratic Party’s executive committee and has worked on numerous campaigns to help other candidates win, so maybe now it’s his turn?

Heck, it’s not inconceivable that if Aufuldish lost his race against Hamercheck, Democrats could appoint him to finish the last two years of Troy’s term.

Ohio GOP state central committee

Unofficial results from the Portage County Elections Board show there is just a 91-vote difference for the GOP 18th Senate District state Central Committeeman race between former state Rep. Jamie Callender of Concord Township and Portage County Republican Party Chairman Andrew Manning. Callender currently trails, but outstanding ballots will be added into the mix and the official count of the race takes place March 27, so it’s possible the results could change.

The district includes parts of Lake and Geauga counties and all of Portage County, where the results will be certified.

The winner of the race could play an important role in who is the next Ohio Republican Party chairman because the 66-member committee will make that decision. It’s noteworthy because of a ongoing feud reportedly between Gov. John Kasich and Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron Young, 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 at Stadium Grill in Mentor. See Jini Gorg.

n Spring Fever Celebration for Fiebig, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 21 at the Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

n Fundraiser for Werner Barthol, candidate for Lake County prosecutor, 6 to 8 p.m. March 22 at the Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. See James Falvey or Kelly Barthol.

n Campaign kickoff for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 4:30 to 7 p.m. March 29 at The English Pub in Ravenna. See Mike Apicella.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah