by Tim Troglen
Reporter
While many local voters will be focused on choosing who could end up in the White House March 4, a slate of leaders at the county level also will be decided next week.
Only one of the two Cuyahoga County Commissioner seats up for grabs this year should see any competition.
Democrat Peter Lawson Jones, whose seat expires Jan. 1, 2009, will be opposed this fall by Republican hopeful Deborah L. Sutherland, as neither will be challenged in the primary.
Democrat Tim Hagan, whose seat expires Jan. 2, 2009, does not face a challenger in either the primary or the November election, as no other candidates have filed.
In the county sheriff's race, incumbent Gerald T. McFaul, a Democrat, will face Democratic challenger Paul E. Falzone, the current police chief of Bratenahl.
Three Democrats have filed to run for Cuyahoga County recorder. Incumbent Patrick J. O'Malley will face Nelson Cintron Jr. in the primary. The winner will face Republican Cathy Luks in November.
Incumbent Democrat Jim Rokakis will face Democrat Daniel M. Flanagan in the primary for the county treasurer position. No Republicans filed for the primary.
Several county primary races feature no party contests and will be decided in November.
Incumbent Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason runs unopposed on the Democratic side, as does Republican Annette G. Butler.
Incumbent Clerk of Courts Gerald E. Fuerst, who has served as clerk since 1975, will face Republican challenger Burrell A. Jackson this fall.
Incumbent County Engineer Robert C. Klaiber Jr. and Incumbent County Coroner Frank Miller, both Democrats, will not face competition in either the primary or the fall election.
E-mail: TTroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3165