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WARREN -- Trumbull County voters may not have wanted Michael O'Brien back as commissioner, but Warren voters definitely wanted to see him back on city council.
That's revealed in the unofficial and incomplete results of this week's Democratic primary election provided by the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
O'Brien received a total of 2,600 votes; Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, received 2,186 votes; and Councilman Gary Steinbeck, D-at Large, received 1,426 votes; in the three-person race for three at-Large seats on city council.
Because there were no Republicans who ran for the at-Large seats and no announced independents running for positions, these candidates likely will be elected to serve during November's general election.
MICHAEL O'BRIEN
O'Brien received the most votes in 18 of the 26 precincts in the city.
In many precincts, O'Brien received 20 to 30 and even more votes than the second-place candidate.
"I did not campaign for myself during this primary," O'Brien said. "I was campaigning for Doug Franklin's re-election."
Franklin served as O'Brien's safety service director during his eight years as the city's mayor from 2004 to 2012.
"However, I noticed that every house I went to, I did not have to introduce myself. Everyone knew who I am," O'Brien said.
"That's why I believe I have been so successful," he continued. "I enjoy working with and helping people. Being a councilman at-Large, I will have a chance to continue to do these things."
O'Brien expects his time serving in the Ohio House will help the next administration in getting things done for the city.
"I'm on a first-name basis with many state officials from both parties," O'Brien said.
"On my phone, I have contact numbers with people in every department in state government. I will use them to do whatever I can to assist the city."
When he completes his next term, O'Brien will have spent more than 40 years in public service.
"I enjoy serving the public," he said.
HELEN RUCKER
Rucker, who has served on city council for 21 years and has been an at-large council member for 15 years, was the top vote-getter in eight of 26 precincts. She generally received the second-highest number of votes in the precincts that were won by O'Brien.
"He should have won the most votes," Rucker said. "He is used to getting the most votes. He has served in public offices, in some form, since he was a teenager and first won a council seat."
Rucker also had served as a 6th Ward councilwoman for six years .
"During the next term, we will continue to move Warren forward," Rucker said. "People now are more aware of the form of government, and they can see the growth in development that is happening in the city."
"When we go back, and all of the American Rescue Plan Act funds are allocated, we will see how well-managed the city is," she said. "In the last two years, I've watched how very quietly that (Mayor) Doug (Franklin) has been getting things done without adding to the city's expenses."
Rucker said the administration has been aggressive in obtaining grants to provide funding for large and small projects.
"We are going to have to continue doing that." she said.
Rucker noted her fellow council members have been cautious in making sure they are using their ARP allocations for long term projects.
GARY STEINBECK
Steinbeck, 71, who was appointed to council in January 2020 and won a full term in 2021, is less of a household name than his colleagues, but said he plans to continue his efforts to make the city's police and fire departments stronger.
Steinbeck has used the majority of the ARP dollars he has been able to allocate to provide funds for the two departments. He provided nearly $300,000 to the police and $100,000 to the fire departments for equipment.
"I believe in order to have a strong and prosperous city we must have strong safety forces," Steinbeck said. "That's what is needed to attract new businesses and new residents to the city. It is important for people to feel safe."
Steinbeck previously served as a representative with the United Steelworkers International for more than 25 years and worked for eight years as bailiff for Probate Judge James Fredericka.
He served in the Army, the Ohio National Guard and the Air Force reserves.