One interesting part of the primary elections in Mahoning and Trumbull counties was how few people were in contested races for the seats they currently hold.

The only incumbents in contested races in the two counties were Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy, Trumbull Auditor Martha Yoder and the Valley’s two U.S. House members — Michael Rulli of Salem and Dave Joyce of Bainbridge. They’re all Republicans.

You can also include Thomas Summers, who was reelected as the 32nd District state central committeeman despite losing Trumbull County to Tom Letson. But state central races fly under the radar because of the very limited powers of the hyperpartisan positions.

Rulli and Joyce dominated their challengers, each getting more than 70% of the vote. Malloy and Yoder, who were first elected four years ago, met with defeat.

Yoder lost to Mike Loychik, a former two-term Ohio House member, who received 50.87% of the vote. Yoder received 31.5% and Bazetta Fiscal Officer Stacy A. Marling finished last with 17.63% of the vote.

It was a closer race for Malloy, who lost to Bazetta Township Trustee Michael J. Hovis. Hovis received 53.28% to 46.72% for Malloy.

For Joyce, it was a costly primary, with his campaign spending more than $715,000 between Jan. 1 and April 15, including more than $500,000 on commercials focusing on President Donald Trump’s endorsement of him.

But with the 14th Congressional District considered safe for Republicans — particularly Joyce, who is seeking his eighth two-year term to the post — it was better to be smart and spend in the primary than to have $3 million in his campaign fund and risk a competitive race.

Joyce got 70.3% of the vote, beating Niki Frenchko, a former Trumbull County commissioner, who was only able to muster support from 29.7% of GOP primary voters.

Joyce will take on Democrat Maria Jukic, a former Euclid City Council member, in the Nov. 3 election.

Jukic’s win was a surprise, and she faces a major uphill battle against Joyce.

Rulli had no trouble beating Jullie Kelley, 76.23% to 23.77%, in the Republican primary for the 6th Congressional District, which is drawn to heavily favor the GOP.

For reasons I still can’t explain, six Democrats filed to face Rulli in the general election.

Of those who gave this race any thought, very few believed Elizabeth Kirtley of New Philadelphia would emerge as the winner. But she captured 31.51% of the vote. Kirtley was likely among those who didn’t believe she had much of a chance.

When I called her Tuesday night to tell her she won, Kirtley didn’t hide her surprise.

“I am in awe and shock,” she said.

Several incumbents didn’t run for reelection, creating vacancies, primarily in the judicial branch.

In Mahoning County, a common pleas general division judge, a domestic relations judge and a 7th District Court of Appeals judge couldn’t seek reelection this year because of the state’s age-limit law. Also, a different common pleas general division judge and a different appeals court judge decided to not run for another term.

That meant five judicial seats were up for grabs this year – which is a rarity. There were two-person Republican primaries for four of the seats, with Mahoning County Area Court Judge Molly K. Johnson unopposed in the GOP primary for one of the appeals positions. She also doesn’t have a challenger in the general election.

Mark A. Hanni, a sitting appeals court judge who would have been unable to run in 2028 for reelection because of the age-limits law, successfully won the Republican primary for the open appeals seat.

Hanni got 54.71% of the vote in the Republican primary, beating David “Chip” Comstock, who received 45.29% of the vote and won Mahoning, the district’s most populous county, by 3.38%.

Hanni’s new term starts Feb. 10, 2027. Whoever is the next governor will appoint Hanni’s replacement to serve out the final two years of his old term.

The next governor will also appoint somzeone to fill out the rest of Johnson’s area court judicial position.

With the retirement of Mahoning Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti, state Rep. Lauren McNally chose to run as the Democratic nominee with Christine Oliver, Canfield City Council president, winning the Republican primary over two other candidates.

McNally’s decision leaves her safe Democratic seat representing the 58th Ohio House District open starting next year. John Boccieri, a former state legislator and congressman, was the dominant winner in the Democratic primary. He’ll face Republican Heather Fronk in the general election.

In Trumbull County, three judicial seats were on the ballot without an incumbent. The county’s probate court judge and an 11th District Court of Appeals judge couldn’t seek reelection because of the age-limits law. Also, a common pleas general division seat held by Cynthia Westcott is open because she filed for reelection and then withdrew.

While there aren’t five open judicial seats as in Mahoning County, three in Trumbull is a lot for an election.

Democrats don’t have candidates in any of the judicial races, and Chris Becker, first assistant county prosecutor, filed as an independent for Westcott’s seat.

Mary Ellen Ditchey, Westcott’s magistrate, handily won the Republican primary for her boss’ spot and will face Becker in the Nov. 3 election as long as the Trumbull County Board of Elections certifies him to the ballot.

The Republican primary for the probate judicial race wasn’t close either, with Thomas A. Campbell, a longtime Central District Court judge, emerging with a resounding victory.

The 11th District race was tight with Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa L. Cornachio beating David L. Engler, a Trumbull County Domestic Relations / Juvenile Division Court judge, 51.16% to 48.84%.

David Skolnick covers politics for the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator.