07-05-2025
Incumbents cruising to victories in contested Alliance City Council races
ALLIANCE ‒ Republican incumbents are cruising to victory in two contested races in Tuesday's primary election for Alliance City Council.
As of 9:20 p.m., a majority of precincts have reported unofficial results to the board of elections in Stark County and Mahoning County for both races.
Kris Bugara (31%), Jennifer Kiko (26%) and Phillip Mastroianni (25%) were fending off challenger Rev. Joshua Smith (18%) for the three at-large seats.
The winners face Jorge Mendoza, a Democrat, in the November general election. His party nomination was not challenged Tuesday.
Election preview: Four candidates vie for 3 Alliance City Council at-large spots in May primary
In Ward 3 - the other contested race - incumbent Ed Lohnes held a big lead against independent contractor Logan Kelleher for the Republican nomination.
Lohnes had 77% of the vote with two of the three precincts reported. Kelleher had 23%.
The winner will run against Jessica Risaliti, a Democrat, in November. Her party nomination also went unchallenged in the primary election.
There were no votes cast in either race in Mahoning County.
Election preview: Lohnes, Kelleher face off in Ward 3 Republican primary for Alliance City Council
Leading up to the primary election, the city's plans to write new rental regulations over the last 18 months had been a major influence on council races.
Smith, Kelleher, Mendoza and Risaliti jumped into the race over rental issues for different reasons. The city's plans were dropped last month and current codes were modified.
The changes have only subdued opponents and supporters of rental regulations for the short-term.
Mayor Andy Grove on Monday night released his proposed members for the new five-member Housing Oversight Board that was created by the code modifications.
His choices - which are not final - didn't go over well with council members, landlords, tenants or even supporters of stronger rental regulations, like Mendoza and Risaliti.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance voters cast ballots for City Council on Tuesday
