Youngstown counilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, stands ouside a former McDonalds along Market St. on the city's south side that the city purchased to convert into a community center.. Davis won the Democratic primary for president of Youngstown City Council on Tuesday. ...photo .by R. Michael Semple

YOUNGSTOWN — Surprising herself, Youngstown City Councilwoman Anita Davis captured the Democratic primary for president of the legislative body, beating Mike Ray, a fellow council member.

Because the position of council president has very limited power, Davis, D-6th Ward, said she plans to work to increase the importance of the job through a charter amendment — and if that fails, seek its elimination.

Davis beat Ray, D-4th Ward, in Tuesday’s primary 55% to 45%, according to unofficial results Tuesday. The Mahoning County Board of Elections plans to certify the results May 19.

When told by a reporter with The Vindicator that she had won, Davis said, “Geez, oh Pete. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know if anyone was agreeing with my viewpoint. OK, you got me. It’s a surprise. How about that? Son of a gun. Thank you for letting me know.”

The race between Ray and Davis, who are friends, was civil and low-key.

Davis didn’t even accept any campaign contributions and did little campaigning.

After the defeat, Ray said: “In a time of contentious politics we will continue to work well together. We both have the city’s best interests at heart. I’m disappointed in the results. I don’t know what happened.”

Ray said he congratulates Davis and looks forward to continuing to work with her.

Ray also lost the 2017 Democratic primary for council president to DeMaine Kitchen.

Richard Yaslik of Brunswick Road filed as an independent candidate for council president for the Nov. 4 general election. He ran in 2023 as an independent for 5th Ward councilman against Democrat Pat Kelly. Yaslik got 32.9% of the vote in the two-man race.

The elections board has until July 15 to certify Yaslik’s candidacy, though it is expected to determine that sooner.

Alex Rubino of South Schenley Avenue filed as a write-in candidate for Youngstown council president. His name won’t appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, but there will be a line to write it in.

The write-in deadline is Aug. 25.

Tracy Randall, the lone Republican to file for council president, was ruled ineligible by the board of elections because of a lack of valid signatures on her nominating petitions.

Davis has served since 2016 representing the 6th Ward, which includes most of the city’s South Side.

Ray has served as a city council member since 2010 representing the 4th Ward, which includes the upper West Side.

The president runs city council meetings, but doesn’t get a vote under any circumstances.

The president also becomes mayor and fills out the unexpired term if a vacancy occurs. That happened once in the city’s history when Jay Williams left in August 2011 to work for the administration of then-President Barack Obama and Charles Sammarone, council president, became mayor.

Democrat Tom Hetrick, elected four years ago, decided not to seek reelection this year.

Davis said the power of the position needs to be enhanced or the post eliminated.

Davis wants to see the job of council president restructured to have “a place at the table of every administration,” and “be in the administrative loop like a vice mayor or vice president would be kept informed.”

Before Tuesday’s primary, Davis said whether she wins or loses she would seek to put a charter amendment before city voters to enhance the power of council president.

If that charter amendment failed, Davis said she would seek to eliminate the council president position as an elected post. That would also require voters to approve a charter amendment.

In that scenario, Davis said, the president of council would be selected from the seven council members on a rotating basis, chairing council meetings and not be in line to fill a mayoral vacancy.

Before the primary, Davis said: “I debated running for it because it was like what’s the best way to get people to understand I want the position eliminated not for anything personal.”