YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Mahoning County is welcoming its newest commissioner. Geno DiFabio took his oath of office Thursday after winning the spot in the November election.
His ceremony marks the start of a major shift in Valley politics. For the first time in 90 years, Republicans will have a majority of countywide executive branch seats.
DiFabio defeated longtime incumbent David Ditzler last month and said he’s already made plans to leave his current job to jump into this new one with both feet.
“I was able to meet most of the staff, and I went to work. I started attending meetings,” DiFabio said.
This was DiFabio’s second run for a Commissioner’s seat the last several years, losing the first. Throughout both campaigns, he was criticized for his lack of experience.
First-term Youngstown Councilwoman Amber White heard many of the same things before she took office, telling First News officeholders need to be willing to learn the ropes.
“Like the new laws, new ordinances, the new businesses that are coming in,” White said. “You’re constantly on a learning curve.”
Although DiFabio says his campaign with Ditzler turned ugly from time to time, he claims that’s all in the past.
“I said, ‘We’re starting over cause we have a job.’ I was elected just like they were,” DiFabio said. “We have a job to work for the people of Mahoning County, and that’s what, thoroughly what I intend to do.”
As for those with their own pre-conceived notions of how he’ll act in his new position, he says they just need to get to know him.
“Well, let ’em get to know me. They’re gonna see that — the staff found out already — that I’m not who they said I was,” DiFabio said.
Judge Scott Krichbaum issued the oath of office inside the courthouse rotunda.
DiFabio thanked his large crowd of supporters and friends, and said he’ll work to make them all proud.
He defeated longtime incumbent Democrat Dave Ditzler last month.
DiFabio won’t start his new job for a couple of weeks.
#DiFabio #sworn #Mahoning #County #commissioner
Leave a Reply