WARREN — The race for the next Trumbull County commissioner seat is becoming crowded as current Commissioner Frank Fuda and former candidate Denny Malloy both said they’ve pulled petitions to run.

Fuda confirmed Wednesday he pulled petitions to run as a Democrat to seek re-election to his seat.

Malloy, who previously ran as an independent to replace Mauro Cantalamessa, is expected to seek the nomination to run for the seat as a Republican candidate.

Rep. Michael O’Brien, D-Warren, announced on Tuesday he will be running for the Jan. 1, 2023 commissioner seat now held by Fuda. Although he pulled his petitions, Fuda said he does not expect to begin circulating them until after the new year.

“Everyone has the right to right to run,” Fuda said.

The longtime commissioner plans to outline his reasons to seek a new four-year term sometime after the beginning of the year.

It could be a tougher year to win the Democratic nomination for Fuda, because he supported fellow commissioner Niki Frenchko’s campaign against Trumbull County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Polivka during last year’s general election.

As a result of that action, the Niles Democratic Club sanctioned Fuda for two years from participating in the club’s activities.

Malloy thinks his prior strong run against Cantalamessa should help him win the next campaign for the office.

“I think my name recognition is high and with support of the Republican Party and conservatives, I should be the front runner heading into this for 2022,” Malloy said. “Having been a Democrat voter for many years, I understand both sides and have many friends and supporters on both sides of the aisle.”

Malloy believes county employees deserve better than what they receive.

“I feel for the dedicated workers who just want to be respected and appreciated by their leaders and the public for their performance,” Malloy said.