WARREN — Former Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka has earned the Democratic nomination for a Trumbull County commissioner seat.

Polivka earned 51% of the vote compared to Howland Trustee Dr. James LaPolla’s 30% and Warren City Council President John Brown’s 17% with 158 of 158 precincts reported, according to unofficial results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

“I am very humbled and thankful by the strong vote showing,” Polivka said. “I am looking forward to bringing unity and progress back in the commissioners office, God willing, (if) I win in the general election. Again, my thanks.”

Polivka, 60, the vice president of Polivka International, previously served as Trumbull commissioner from 2004 to 2020. He lost his seat to Niki Frenchko, who was defeated Tuesday in the Republican primary by Hubbard trustee Rick Hernandez.

Prior to serving as commissioner, Polivka was on Warren City Council from 1983 to 2003.

In January, the Trumbull County Democratic Party endorsed Polivka. He said he “never really stopped being commissioner,” minus the title and salary.

Polivka said he would continue to be a “watchdog” of taxpayer money if elected. He said during his initial stint as commissioner, he fought against sales tax increases.

Polivka also said, if elected, he wants to continue working to make broadband internet available across the entire county.

The former commissioner also wants to help the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport secure a commercial airline. He suggested Breeze Airways as a potential option.

Polivka also noted the importance of improving the collaboration of those serving as commissioners. He said the office needs to focus on getting work done. Polivka believes that he can unite the board of commissioners.

Brown campaigned on being able to tackle the position of commissioner as a full-time job and said he would have been at the commissioner’s office on a “daily basis.” Brown also said he does not believe the county needs to hire an administrator.

Brown also had reservations regarding the Western Reserve Transit Authority, saying that it is not the end-all-be-all for public transportation in the county.

“I met good people from all over Trumbull County who want what’s best for the region,” Brown said. “There are a lot of good things on the horizon for our area economically. I hope our elected officials do the work of government and get out of the way of progress.”

LaPolla said he would have fully supported the hiring of a county administrator. He said the three Trumbull townships that have administrators, Liberty, Weathersfield and Howland, are three of the smoothest run in the area.

LaPolla, who has served as a Howland trustee for 11 years, highlighted the importance of public transportation. He said he believes Warren is one of the largest communities in Ohio without regular public transportation.

LaPolla also said he wanted to make the county more efficient, doing a better job promoting the county and keeping Trumbull finances in check.

“The three of us that ran, it was a gentleman’s race,” LaPolla said. “Every time we met each other, we shook hands, asked each other how we were doing, we encouraged each other. Not one of us did anything negative against the other. I’ll give my salute and my handshake to each of my two opponents. It was a gentleman’s race.”

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