CAMPBELL — Mark J. Kolmacic, running for Campbell Municipal Court judge for the fourth time, is the apparent winner in the race against city Law Director Brian J. Macala, who faces criminal and judicial disciplinary charges.

Kolmacic was ahead 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results Tuesday from the Mahoning County Board of Elections.

“I wish him well with his administration of the courts in Campbell,” Macala said of Kolmacic. “The voters have spoken and they have made it clear they choose him to be the better individual for judge of the court.”

Kolmacic couldn’t be reached Tuesday to comment.

Macala faces two issues: theft and criminal mischief charges for allegedly removing Kolmacic’s campaign literature from a resident’s house, and the other being a possible punishment by the Ohio Supreme Court after admitting he forged clients’ signatures on court documents.

Macala said the controversies “played a big factor in the voters’ decision.”

Macala, the longtime city law director, was charged Friday by Campbell police with the two misdemeanors. He is to be arraigned Nov. 17.

Annette Kelly of Hyatt Avenue provided video to Kolmacic of her front porch allegedly showing Macala removing a piece of campaign literature dropped off by his opponent on her mailbox.

The video shows Macala putting the paper in his suit jacket’s right pocket and leaving behind his own campaign materials. Another paper of similar size was already in that same pocket.

The incident is alleged to have occurred Sept. 24. Kolmacic filed a police report Oct. 19.

Campbell police Chief Kevin Sferra filed the charges Friday.

Also, Macala has admitted he forged clients’ signatures on court documents and is seeking a public reprimand for his actions from the Ohio Supreme Court. The Mahoning County Bar Association wants Macala to get a one-year stayed suspension.

A panel of the court’s Board of Professional Conduct had a Monday hearing with a recommendation to the full board expected Dec. 8. The final decision on discipline rests with the Supreme Court.

The complaint filed by bar association against Macala, for a case from his private law practice in Salem, states that on May 17, 2022, he signed the names of five people on probate filings regarding two estates in order to get a time extension.

Macala admits to filing the documents with forged signatures in Mahoning County Probate Court.

He was fired by the executor of the two estates after the forgeries were discovered by his clients.

No money was paid to Macala prior to his termination, according to an Oct. 23joint filing by attorneys for the bar association and Macala.

Macala ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the judgeship while Kolmacic filed as an independent.

Incumbent Patrick P. Cunning couldn’t seek re-election this year because of the state’s age limit on judges.

Macala was elected law director in 1995 and lost to Kolmacic in 2007. Macala beat Kolmacic for law director in 2011 and has held it ever since. Macala didn’t seek re-election as law director to run for judge.

This was the sixth time the two have run for elected office against each other and only Kolmacic’s second victory. Kolmacic unsuccessfully challenged Macala for law director in 2015 and 2021.

They both lost the municipal court judge race in 2005 to Cunning.

Kolmacic also lost to Cunning in 2017 and unsuccessfully ran for judge in 1999.

Because of Kolmacic’s age, 66, he will be able to serve only one six-year term.

dskolnick@vindy.com