Various officials lining up to replace Boccieri in Ohio Senate

State Sen. John Boccieri (D-Alliance) has won his race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) in Ohio's 16th Congressional District.

With Boccieri heading to Congress, a vacancy will be left in Ohio's 33rd state Senate seat.

Several candidates have already thrown their hat in the ring to replace Boccieri, notifying the Ohio Senate Democratic caucus of their interest.

These candidates so far include state Rep. Ronald Gerberry (D-Youngstown) and at-large Councilman in the city of Alliance Steve Okey (D).

Boardman Trustee Robyn Gallitto (D) also said she expressed her interest to several members of the caucus.

Mahoning County Commissioners John McNally IV and Anthony Traficanti have previously expressed their interest in the position, but were unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.

"I'm going to present myself as a candidate seeking the appointment," Gerberry told PolitickerOH.com. "It didn't take me too long to decide. But I spent some time discussing it with my wife, and decided that I will ask the members of the Democratic caucus for their consideration."

Gerberry said that he had been elected county-wide twice in Mahoning County, the largest county in the 33rd. Gerberry said he had also been elected five times in Stark County, which is the second largest county making up a portion of the district.

Okey said that he had put his hat in the ring and was indeed a candidate to succeed Boccieri.

Gallitto said that she also plans on throwing her hat in the ring to replace Boccieri.