Summit County Council will have at least two new faces after the Nov. 8 election — this following a year of major and difficult transition.
Over the last year, the council bid adieu to three Democratic members during their terms: Ilene Shapiro (who became county executive after the death of Russ Pry), Sandra Kurt (who became county clerk of courts after Dan Horrigan was elected Akron mayor) and Frank Comunale (who took a job with the county).
Meanwhile, Democratic Councilwoman Tamela Lee remains barred from attending meetings as she faces federal corruption charges. She lost a primary earlier this year so she won’t be returning to the council.
“There’s been more turnover on County Council than we’ve ever seen,” said Councilman Tim Crawford, who has been on the council for more than two decades and is unopposed next week.
Democrats now dominate the 11-member council, holding 10 of the seats.
The eight district positions, along with two of the three at-large seats, are up for election this year.
The district seats are for four years.
Here are the matchups:
At-large
Democrat Elizabeth Walters of Akron and Republican Chris Parker of Copley Township are seeking to finish Kurt’s unexpired term, which runs through 2018.
Walters, who was appointed to the post to replace Kurt, is community outreach coordinator for the International Institute of Akron and former executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party.
Parker is an attorney who also served for seven years as an assistant prosecutor in Hudson.
In the other at-large race, Democrat Clair Dickinson of Akron and Republican Alex Pavloff of Akron are seeking to finish Shapiro’s unexpired term, which also runs through 2018.
Dickinson, who was appointed to the post earlier this year to replace Shapiro, is a partner with the law firm Brouse McDowell. He is a former Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals judge who previously served two stints on County Council.
Pavloff is a graduate student at the University of Akron in applied politics and founded and chairs the Summit County Young Republicans.
District 1
Here’s where there will definitely be a new face on the council because neither candidate is an incumbent.
Democrat Rita Darrow of Macedonia, who bested Councilman Nick Kostandaras in a primary, faces Republican Ron Koehler of Macedonia.
Darrow previously served on Macedonia council for a term.
Koehler is a former Springfield Township trustee and served on the county elections board.
The district covers the northern portion of the county, including Twinsburg, Northfield, Macedonia and Richfield.
District 2
Democrat and incumbent John Schmidt of Cuyahoga Falls faces Nick Subak of Cuyahoga Falls.
Schmidt, a retired county employee who also served on Cuyahoga Falls City Council, has been on the council since 2007.
Subak is a grocery clerk with plans for a law degree at the University of Akron.
The district covers most of Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls and part of Akron.
District 3
Republican and incumbent Gloria Rodgers of Stow faces David Worhatch of Hudson.
Rodgers, a retired nurse, is seeking her third term.
Worhatch is an attorney who previously served as a township trustee in the former Hudson Township and was a member of the Hudson City Council
The district covers Hudson, Stow, Silver Lake and part of Cuyahoga Falls.
District 4
Democrat Jeff Wilhite of Cuyahoga Falls faces Republican Michael Kormushoff of Akron.
Wilhite, who was appointed to replace Comunale, is executive director of Family Promise of Summit County. He previously has served as deputy Akron mayor for administration and deputy director of planning and urban development.
Kormushoff is an advertising, marketing and public relations executive in the Akron area.
The district covers portions of Akron, Bath Township and Cuyahoga Falls.
District 5
With Lee losing in the Democratic primary earlier this year, District 5 is ensured a fresh face.
Democrat David Hamilton of Akron faces Republican John Sans of Akron.
Hamilton is a prosecutor with the city of Akron. Sans is a research chemist for BASF in Independence.
The district covers Fairlawn, Copley Township and parts of Akron and Bath Township.
District 6
Democrat and incumbent Jerry Feeman of Tallmadge faces Republican Cole Muzio of Tallmadge.
Feeman is a real estate agent and appraiser.
Muzio is president of a firm specializing in political and corporate strategies and public relations.
The district covers Tallmadge and a portion of Akron.
District 7
Democrat and incumbent Tim Crawford of Norton faces no opposition.
He is a full-time agent with Nationwide Insurance. The district covers Barberton, Clinton, New Franklin, Norton and a portion of Akron.
District 8
Democrat and incumbent Paula Prentice of Green faces Republican James Carr of Green.
A retired school teacher and principal, Prentice is running for a fourth term.
Carr is a deputy clerk at the Akron Municipal Court clerk’s office.
The district covers Green, Lakemore, Mogadore, Springfield Township and parts of Coventry Township and Akron.