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WARREN -- Political newcomer Ashley Miner won the Democratic nomination for Warren's 5th Ward council seat with 63 percent of the vote, according to incomplete and unofficial results at the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
Community activist Pierson "Butch" Butcher received 37 percent of the vote.
"This has definitely been a learning experience," Miner said. "I had a lot of support from the residents. There were some doubters, but what I did was listen to what residents had to tell me."
Miner described it was her children that inspired her to make a run for office.
"I want a better Warren for them to live in," she said. "If I win the general election, I will work with the existing council members to find ways to beautify Warren, to deter crime and to make sure those stop signs that are needed remain up."
Miner promises to be the kind of council representative to who will listen and follow through.
"I'm tired of people not following through on their promises," she said. "If I don't know something, I'll make the necessary phone calls to find out."
She knows that winning the primary is the first step in achieving her goal to represent the ward.
Butcher, who sought, but lost previous efforts to be elected or appointed to council seats, congratulated his opponent.
"She worked hard," he said. "She did a good job in the campaign."
Butcher expects to remain active even after this election.
"I will continue working to make Hazelwood and the 5th Ward beautiful and have less blight," he said.
The longtime volunteer cuts grass, leads neighborhood cleanups and paints fire hydrants.
The two candidates ran for the Democratic nomination to replace Ken MacPherson, D-5th Ward, who is running for an open at-Large council seat.
Miner will now face in the November election Republican Bob Marchese, and two independent candidates, Koree McLennan of Perkinswood Boulevard SE and Kamau Thornton of Brier Street SE.
Incumbent 1st Ward Councilman Larry Larson won re-election over Amanda Powell-Hebert by a margin of 74 percent to 26 percent, according to incomplete and unofficial results from the board of elections. Larson did not return several messages seeking comment.
Todd Johnson filed to run as an independent for the 1st Ward in November, but his candidacy still needs certified by the board of elections.
Warren council 1st Ward
Larry D. Larson 176
Amanda Powell-Hebert 61
Warren council 5th Ward
Ashley Miner 135
Pierson Butcher 78