Ohio House Democrats Name Boccieri to Fill Seat
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former state legislator John Boccieri will be sworn in later this week to take over the seat in the Ohio House of Representatives vacated by former state Rep. Ron Gerberry of Austintown.
The Ohio House Democratic Caucus announced a short time ago that it had named Boccieri, a former U.S. congressman who also served in both the Ohio House and Senate, to fill the 59th district seat.
“It is an honor to again have the opportunity to serve my community and work alongside the dedicated public servants in the Ohio House,” Boccieri said. “I am committed to working toward practical solutions that expand economic opportunities for families in the Mahoning Valley and across Ohio.”
Boccieri, of Poland, previously served in the Ohio House from 2001 to 2006 and the Ohio Senate from 2007 to 2008. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2011. Last year he was appointed by Mahoning County as one of its four representatives to the Western Reserve Port Authority’s board of directors.
Gerberry, a veteran of the Ohio Statehouse who first went to Columbus in 1982, resigned his seat after pleading guilty last month to a misdemeanor count of unlawful compensation of a public official.
Boccieri was selected from three candidates considered by a screening committee led by Caucus Dean Rep. Jack Cera, D-96 Bellaire, and including Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-58 Youngstown. The committee also considered Boardman Township Trustee Robin Gallito and Boardman School Board member John Landers for the seat.
“All three candidates impressed the screening committee with their commitment to public service and dedication to fighting for middle class values,” Cera said. “Ultimately, Rep. Boccieri’s extensive public service experience and the recommendation by local Mahoning County leaders contributed to our decision. I am confident we made the right choice and look forward to working with Rep. Boccieri.”
Pictured: John Boccieri will return to the Ohio House of Representatives.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
