Dec 30, 2020
WARREN — Commissioner-elect Niki Frenchko’s election was validated by a decision from a visiting judge from Stark County.
The ruling followed a lengthy hearing Wednesday on a election contest lawsuit filed by her Democrat opponent and longtime incumbent Commissioner Daniel Polivka, plus 66 voters who petitioned the court to either overturn the election or call a new vote for commissioner.
Retired Stark County Common Pleas Judge John Haas ruled that the Republican Frenchko has an appropriate residence in Trumbull County and is qualified to serve as commissioner beginning Jan. 2.
Testimony was given by both Polivka and Frenchko as the hearing moved into early Wednesday afternoon in the large second-floor courtroom at the Trumbull County courthouse.