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WARREN -- Incumbents in Warren's 6th and 7th wards will hold onto their seats after soundly holding off challengers in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Seventh Ward Council-man Ronald White Sr. of Parkman Road NW won 64 percent of the vote to Susan Hartman's 36 percent, according to incomplete and unofficial results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
Sixth Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold of Maple Street won 66 percent of the vote, while her challenger Erica Royster of Ferndale Avenue SW generated 34 percent. This was the third time Royster challenged Saffold. Royster lost by 29 votes in 2015 and by 13 votes in 2013. The difference was 89 votes Tuesday.
Neither Saffold nor White have a Republican or independent challenger in November.
White thanked the volunteers who helped him get re-elected from the "bottom of" his heart and the people who voted for him.
"I won't let you down," White said.
Next on his agenda? White said he wants to push for the city to create a strategic plan for sidewalk improvements throughout the city. He also wants to continue to push for police body cameras and dash cameras. He said an anti-racism task force will work to better the community, too.
White is in his first term in the 7th Ward, although he served two terms in the late 1990s in the 4th Ward. Hartman, of Elvina Street, was the 7th Ward council member from 1997 to through 2009, when former Councilman Eddie Colbert defeated her. Colbert is now the city's safety service director.
Hartman said she hopes to see Warren City Council improve even if she won't be on it.
"A wise woman once said 'Whatever will be will be,' and I guess that is the way this will be," Hartman said. "I hope at some point this council will learn that instead of squabbling they need to move forward, work together, stop bickering and start working as adults," Hartman said.
During the campaign, Hartman said the city should get emergency medical technicians through the fire department and seek grants to implement community-oriented policing.
Saffold was not available for comment, but during the campaign she said one of her goals is to reduce crime in the ward and encourage an attitude that assists police in arresting violent offenders. Saffold also said there is more work needed to renovate Quinby Park.
Royster said she respects the decision of the voters and Saffold, but that doesn't mean she won't consider another run at the seat in the future.
"We did everything possible; I spent every day working on this. But if people don't come out to cast their vote, what can you do?" Royster said.
The Trumbull County Board of Elections showed voter turnout in Trumbull County was less than 9 percent.
"I have the utmost respect for Cheryl, that doesn't mean I won't run against her, but I wish her well and congratulate her."
Warren council 6th Ward
Cheryl Saffold 181
Erica J. Royster 92
Warren council 7th Ward
Ronald E. White Sr. 122
Susan Hartman 69