YOUNGSTOWN — State Rep. Lauren McNally, a Youngstown Democrat, and Canfield City Council President Christine Oliver, a Republican, have filed to run for the open Mahoning County commissioner’s seat while two GOP contenders decided not to run.

County Recorder Richard S. Scarsella of Boardman and Mike Young of Berlin Center, who owns a construction company, were considering bids for commissioner, but announced they wouldn’t be candidates.

Meanwhile, Canfield Mayor Don Dragish, a Republican, is going to run for the position while Austintown Township Trustee Bruce Shepas, also a Republican, remains undecided about seeking the job.

Wednesday is the filing deadline for those wanting to run in the May 5 political partisan primary, while those seeking the positions as independents have until May 4, the day before the primary, to submit nominating petitions.

Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti, a Democrat who has served four four-year terms, isn’t seeking reelection. She threw her support behind McNally, who is in her second two-year term in the Ohio House and is the only declared Democratic candidate for the spot.

McNally said she “will be running a family-focused, people-first campaign with initiatives that will help everyone live their best lives while allowing our Valley to thrive.”

Oliver, Combined Insurance’s Northeast Ohio agency leader and president of Canfield City Council, filed for the Republican primary.

“I’ve spent my career working in the private sector and my public service focused on local government,” Oliver said. “I believe Mahoning County can be run more effectively, more transparently and with a stronger focus on public safety, property tax reform and caring for our senior citizens.”

Dragish said he plans to file by Wednesday’s deadline.

Shepas is “on the fence” about running for commissioner, said Tom McCabe, chairman of the county Republican Party’s executive committee.

Scarsella and Young, two Republicans who were looking to run for commissioner, decided not to seek the office.

Scarsella said, “I have been going through a discernment process for some months. At this time, I would like to complete the notary fraud alert rollout, usher in the online access of records in late June and finish office renovations” as recorder.

Scarsella said he hasn’t ruled out a 2028 run for county commissioner.

Young said he and his wife, Debbie, “decided together that it is time for me to step down on my run for commissioner. I will continue to do what I can both near and far in helping others.”