On Tues., Nov. 4, voters will cast their ballots in the general elections.
      In this election, three races draw particular interest---those for the Mahoning County Probate Court, Mahoning County Auditor and Seventh District Court of Appeals.
      Seeking to retain the seat he was appointed to by Gov. John Kasich is Judge Robert Rusu. He is opposed by Democrat Susan Maruca, former law office partner with County Dem Chair Dave Betras, who last week found a suspected pipe bomb outside a window of his Canfield law office.
      The race for Probate Court stands as a no-brainer. There is only one qualified candidate, and that is not Maruca. Her peers in the Mahoning County Bar Association did not recommend her for election, as the bar did not six years ago when she ran for the same seat.
      Vote for Judge Robert Rusu. He stands as the only qualified candidate for the Probate Court.
      Another race where voter responsibility is a no brainer is the contest for Mahoning County Auditor where incumbent Dem Mike Sciortino is opposed by GOP-endorsed Ralph Meacham.
      Mr. Sciortino’s tenure as auditor has been clouded by personal issues and issues with the law.
      Mr. Meacham is a former chief financial officer of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has an unblemished track record.
      Mahoning County needs a fresh start in the auditor’s office, and only Mr. Meacham can provide that.
      For Mahoning County Auditor, vote for Ralph Meacham.
      In the Seventh District Court of Appeals, that spans a seven county area, Republican Susan Robb is facing Dem Anthony Donofrio.
      Judge Robb has served in the Columbiana County court system where she has developed several innovative programs while on the bench.
      Atty. Donofrio has a brother who already sits on the Seventh District bench.
      The Seventh District race is also a no brainer. Judge Robb has judicial experience and innovation on the bench as her standards.
      The appellate court does not need nepotismic representation from two brothers. It needs more diversity than that, all of which makes Judge Carol Robb best-suited for the seat on the Seventh District Court of Appeals.