Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy easily won his party’s nomination March 6 to run Nov. 6 for the Ohio House of Representatives District 60 seat.

Troy defeated Willowick Democrat James Helmink and Eastlake Democrat Laura DePledge. Painesville Councilwoman Lori DiNallo was unopposed in the Republican Party primary.

So Troy will face DiNallo in November, right?

Well, there is increased speculation that Troy might not run for the position after all and instead serve the remaining two years of his commissioner term.

When Troy was in the process of making a decision last year on whether to run for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, he was clearly torn.

Troy enjoys service as a commissioner, but he also felt a strong pull to serve in Columbus, where he served as a state representative for 14 years in the 1980s and 1990s.

Supporters would mention to him that he should stay in Lake County and utilize his experience on the three-member Board of Commissioners.

Also weighing on the decision was if elected to serve in Columbus, he might be part of the minority party that has a smaller voice in how things are run.

That’s because Republicans currently hold the office of governor and both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly, although the majority party could change next year in the House, but not likely the Senate.

As a commissioner, Troy is highly influential regarding decisions made on a county level. Would he have that same level of clout in Columbus?

If Troy wins election as a state representative, the Lake County Democratic Party would then be able to appoint someone to complete the remaining two years on his commissioner term.

Democrats such as Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin Malecek, former state Rep. Mark Schneider of Mentor, and former Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Larry Allen have expressed some interest in a possible appointment.

There could be several other names that could come to the forefront if the situation presents itself.

But what if Troy dropped out as the Democratic nominee for Ohio House District 60?

The county Democratic Party would need to make an appointment for a new candidate to run against DiNallo.

However, a state representative needs to live within the district they represent, so that would narrow the field of potential candidates.

Due to state reapportionment that takes effect next year, the 60th House District will consist of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick.

Interestingly, Malecek, Schneider and Allen currently in what will be District 61 consisting of Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Mentor Wards 1-3, North Perry Village, Perry Village, Waite Hill, Willoughby Hills, the townships of Concord, Leroy, Madison, Perry and parts of Painesville Township.

It would be surprising if Troy didn’t continue to run for state representative, especially after he was critical of former state Sen. Tim Grendell’s decision to stay in the Ohio Senate after he won election to the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2010.

Grendell’s situation was slightly different because it was a general election, not a party primary in the spring to nominate a candidate to run in the fall.

There is a lot of time left before November rolls around, let’s see if Troy changes his mind.

Fundies

n Willoughby-Eastlake Levy Committee will host a pasta dinner fundraiser, 4 to 7 p.m. May 14 at the Stadium Bar and Grill in Mentor.

n Eleventh District Court of Appeals Court Judge Mary Jane Trapp will have a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 16 at the home of Todd and Susan Petersen in Munson Township. See Mike Apicella.

n Lake County Engineer James R. Gills hosts his 12th Annual Pig Roast with guest state Rep. Ron Young, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 16 at the Lake County FOP Hall Pavilion in Concord Township. See Bruce Landeg.

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap, 21st annual golf outing and steak dinner, June 8 at Painesville Country Club. See Frank Leonbrunno, Sheryl DePledge.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah