State Rep. Don Manning was in just his first term in the Ohio Legislature — a public service role he long had sought and loved doing — when his life ended unexpectedly March 20 of an apparent heart attack.

Manning, 54, of New Middletown, represented a large part of Mahoning County including Boardman, Canfield and Poland. He was remembered last week with kind words for his caring and dedication to public service by other elected and local leaders.

“Representative Manning was a good friend and good legislator. Don loved the Mahoning Valley and his work in the legislature,” House Speaker Larry Householder said. The two became close friends and political allies during Manning’s short tenure in the state Legislature.

Gov. Mike DeWine called Manning, “a tireless advocate for advancing issues important to the Mahoning Valley while in Columbus, including advocacy on behalf of Lordstown workers and economic development in the area.”

And Mark Munroe, retired Mahoning County GOP chairman, recalled that “Don had a long-held interest in public service, and I had the chance to watch as he tried and tried again to win election in a strong Democrat area.”

Indeed, Manning had tried unsuccessfully several times to win public office on various levels. His perseverance should speak strongly of his character and his refusal to alter his beliefs, even when he realized a big part of the challenge was his Republican affiliation in this strong Democratic region. He knew he wanted to serve the people here, and believed he would do it well once the door was opened.

And he did.

In 2018, he became the first Republican member of the Ohio House from Mahoning County in several decades, and although he was a conservative, he was not afraid to do what he believed was right for his constituents, regardless of politics.

Manning did not oppose collaboration with Democrats and often reached across the aisle to them, believing it was in the best interest of the area and the state to work with Democrats.

In December, a bill sponsored by Manning to create the Ohio Children’s Behavioral Network was signed into law by DeWine.

The network will bring together a group of experts to develop evidence and outcome-based solutions to improve the mental health of children and young adults, and reduce suicides. DeWine called it a “privilege” to sign Manning’s first bill.

His work on an unrelated bill triggered criticism for Manning. That bill would have required school districts to notify parents that they could keep their children from receiving required vaccinations. Manning was not an anti-vaxxer; he said his children received vaccinations. Still, in the name of transparency, he believed it was important that this information be provided to parents. That bill never received a vote.

Manning’s public service did not start with his elected office. He also served in the U.S. Navy and previously worked in the criminal justice system as a truancy officer, detention officer, probation officer and case manager, where he worked with juvenile offenders, sex offenders and those with mental health, behavioral health and addiction issues.

He also worked as a quality and compliance analyst for Youth Intensive Services in Austintown. His job there included investigating fraud, waste and abuse, as well as conducting internal investigations, audits and company training.

Vindicator politics writer David Skolnick, who knew Manning well, last week said that Manning “was always respectful, responsive and helpful to me and quickly became a dedicated legislator.”

Manning should be remembered as a tireless advocate for the Valley. Our area is better now, for having experienced his valuable, albeit short-lived, service.

editorial@tribtoday.com