WARREN — At 66 years old, state Rep. Michael J. O’Brien, D-Warren, said he is not ready to stop serving Trumbull County residents in some form or fashion.

So, Tuesday, the longtime politician threw his hat in a campaign to be elected as a Trumbull County commissioner. He actively is circulating petitions for the Jan. 1, 2023, commissioner’s four-year term. He expects to run as a Democrat against anyone who files for the seat, which now is occupied by Frank Fuda.

“Whoever runs for that term will be my opponent,” O’Brien said.

Term limited out of running for another term as 64th District state representative, O’Brien said he began thinking six months ago about running for his old job. He was a commissioner for eight years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

O’Brien emphasized that over the years, he has worked well with Democrats, Republicans, business people and members of labor unions.

“I believe that experience is a good thing,” O’Brien said. “I want to bring a positive approach to the commissioner’s office. That’s what I’ve done my entire life, bringing people together.”

He suggests he will be able to work with mayors and trustees for the common good.

“Working in the spirit of cooperation has been the trademark for my entire public life,” O’Brien said.

The longtime politician has been in some form of public office for 36 years. He served for 11 years as a Warren City Council member, eight years as Warren’s mayor, eight years as a Trumbull county commissioner and seven years as a state representative.

He emphasized he likely would have run for a commissioner seat, regardless whether he was term limited as an Ohio House member.

Observing what has been happening this year in the Trumbull County commissioners office, O’Brien emphasized there is nothing wrong with having differing ideas and disagreements.

“You can have public discourse,” he said. “We may not agree on everything, but at the end of the day, we have to compromise and work in unison as one. It is for opportunity and prosperity of the entire county.”

O’Brien suggested the bickering and disagreements being displayed by the commissioners provides an atmosphere of negativity.

“You need to respect the office of county commissioner,” he said. “We need to keep the mutual respect among each commissioner. All my professional life has been to treat the office with respect.”

Even if incumbent Fuda runs against him, O’Brien said he expects to get the support of the Trumbull County Democratic Party.

“I’ve had its support for 36 years,” O’Brien said. “I expect to continue to have its support in this race.”

Several phone calls were made to Fuda for comment, but he did not respond Tuesday night.

O’Brien said he believes he will be able to work with both commissioners Niki Frenchko and Mauro Cantalamessa if he wins the seat.

“I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats alike over my time in public office,” he said.

O’Brien said he believes Trumbull still is a Democratic-leaning area.

“What happened in the last two general elections was because who was at the top of the ticket,” O’Brien said. “I did not lose support. That was an anomaly because who was on the top of the ticket.”

O’Brien said, as a senior member of the finance committee as a representative, he will be able to access state funds that have not been accessed before.

“We want to have an unified force when seeking funds to bring back projects to Trumbull County,” he said.

O’Brien said the American Rescue Funds should be used to continue work on sanitary sewers, extend waterlines and other infrastructure projects. He would lean on professionals to recommend projects.