After 40 years of service to the Mahoning County Republican Party, Chairman Mark Munroe, of Glenwoods Ct., Boardman, announces he is retiring as party chairman, effective February 21 with the election of a new chairman.
      Over the past 40 years, Munroe has served as a volunteer and precinct committeeman in Austintown and Boardman. As a party officer, he has served as 6th vice-chairman, 3rd vice-chairman and party treasurer. He was 1st vice-chairman under Chairman Dennis Vitt and later under Chairman Clarence R. Smith. Munroe has been elected three times as party chairman, and is in his ninth year as chairman.
      Munroe served two terms as state committeeman for the Ohio Republican Party representing the 33rd state senate district. He attended three national presidential nominating conventions as a delegate or alternate delegate. He was appointed twice by Gov. John Kasich to serve as a member of the state racing commission. For 25 years he has served on the Mahoning County Board of Elections and is currently chairman of the board. In his early Republican career he served two terms as president of the Mahoning County Young Republicans.
      Under party by-laws, the members of the GOP county central committee will meet to elect a new chairman. That meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
      Munroe had this comment: “It has been a privilege to serve this party and to reach many of our goals. Republican registration has more than doubled and we have had good success at the ballot box. Our finances are sound and we have a great group of volunteers with one of the best county headquarters in the state. My number one goal has always been to bring real political competition to the county, and while there is more work to do, we have made great progress. It’s time to pass the baton to the next generation of leadership,” Munroe said.
      Munroe plans to stay active in the party as a volunteer and provide help with the transition to a new chairman.