BOARDMAN — The Mahoning County Republican Party’s central committee voted to officially put state Rep. Al Cutrona on the ballot as its candidate for the Ohio House’s 59th District seat.

Cutrona, R-Canfield, was appointed May 28 by the Ohio House Republican Caucus to succeed Don Manning and fill the remainder of the term that runs until Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, Chris Stanley, his Democratic challenger, picked up the endorsement Monday of former President Barack Obama. Stanley was among only six Democratic candidates — three incumbents and three challengers — running for the Ohio House to receive Obama’s first endorsements of candidates running in state elections.

“I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic and highly qualified Democrats,” Obama posted on Twitter.

Stanley said “it’s an honor and a privilege” to have Obama’s endorsement and thanked him for “believing in me and a whole new generation of leaders as we work to make our state and our country a more perfect society with opportunities for all.”

The Monday vote by the Republican central committee members in the 59th District was a foregone conclusion since Cutrona’s appointment more than two months ago. But it was still required to get him on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as the Republican nominee.

Manning died March 20, less than 15 months into his first term in the Ohio House.

Cutrona, who first voted Republican in the primary earlier this year, was selected by the House Republican Caucus among 15 people who applied for the position.

Cutrona is an attorney and chief operating officer for Northeastern Ohio Infectious Disease Association, a physician practice in Youngstown.

He will face Stanley of Canfield, a Youngstown city school teacher and author, in the general election. Stanley voted Democrat for the first time in the primary.

The 59th District includes all of Beaver, Beloit, Berlin, Boardman, Canfield, Craig Beach, Ellsworth, Goshen, Green, Jackson, Milton, New Middletown, Poland, Sebring, Smith, Springfield and Washingtonville, along with a small section of Austintown.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com