2008 Summit County, Ohio Executive election

none January 2025 May 2024 2008 Summit County, Ohio Executive election presidential no November 4, 2008 2004 Summit County, Ohio Executive election 2004 2012 Summit County, Ohio Executive election 2012 150x150px Russ Pry Democratic Party (United States) 150,292 60.90% 150x150px Jim Laria Republican Party (United States) 96,489 39.10% County Executive Russ Pry Democratic Party (United States) Russ Pry Democratic Party (United States) The 2008 Summit County, Ohio Executive election took place on November 4, 2008. County Executive James McCarthy, who won the 2004 election, resigned from office in 2007,Oblander Terry Summit's executive to retire The Plain Dealer May 30, 2007 Cleveland, Ohio B3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/176959953/ July 18, 2025 and Russ Pry, the chairman of the county Democratic Party, was selected to replace him.Oblander Terry Top Democrat in Summit is new county executive The Plain Dealer July 14, 2007 Cleveland, Ohio B4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/176960054/ July 18, 2025 Pry served out the remainder of McCarthy's term and ran for a full term in the 2008 election. Pry was challenged in the Democratic primary by former Akron City Councilman Joe Finley, who had recently lost the 2007 election for Mayor of Akron, and campaigned on a reform platform. Pry won renomination with 59 percent of the vote, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Republican nominee Jim Laria, the Akron Municipal Court Clerk. He won re-election in a landslide, receiving 61 percent of the vote to Laria's 39 percent. Democratic primary Candidates Russ Pry, incumbent County ExecutiveArmon Rick Summit executive to seek full term Akron Beacon Journal October 24, 2007 Akron, Ohio B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/176960546/ July 18, 2025 Joe Finley, former Akron City Councilman, 2007 candidate for Mayor of AkronArmon Rick Summit executive may face challenge Akron Beacon Journal January 3, 2008 Akron, Ohio B2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/176960351/ July 18, 2025 Campaign Pry announced on October 24, 2007, that he would seek a second term as County Executive. He campaigned on his accomplishments in office, including negotiating with Goodyear Tire to construct a new worldwide headquarters in the city.Armon Rick Finley challenges Pry for Summit executive Akron Beacon Journal February 22, 2008 Akron, Ohio B2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/176960974/ July 18, 2025 Finley, meanwhile, who narrowly lost the Akron mayoral election several months earlier, argued that voters in the area wanted reform. He criticized Pry as too closely connected to the local political establishment, and campaigned against "bossism."Kleinerman Ellen Jan Appointed county executive faces challenger The Plain Dealer February 22, 2008 Cleveland, Ohio B4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/176960863/ July 18, 2025 Pry, meanwhile, distanced himself from McCarthy, who was personally popular but had a contentious relationship with local officeholders. Owing in large part to Pry's former role as county party chairman, he was endorsed for re-election by the Summit County Democratic Party, with the central committee voting for Pry over Finley, 154–3.Warsmith Stephanie GOP backs Widowfield over Heydorn Akron Beacon Journal January 31, 2008 Akron, Ohio B5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/176961063/ July 18, 2025 Results Democratic primary results03/04/08 PRIMARY ELECTION - Official Results April 4, 2008 Summit County Board of Elections https://www.boe.ohio.gov/summit/c/elecres/elect030408.htm July 16, 2025 Russ Pry (inc.) Democratic Party (United States) 57,999 58.56% Joe Finley Democratic Party (United States) 41,038 41.44% 99,037 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Jim Laria, Akron Municipal Court ClerkArmon Rick Warsmith Stephanie Akron clerk eyes top county job Akron Beacon Journal December 22, 2007 Akron, Ohio B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/176960646/ July 18, 2025 Results Republican primary results Jim Laria Republican Party (United States) 25,316 100.00% 25,316 100.00% General election Results 2008 Summit County Executive election11/04/08 General Election - Amended Official Results January 23, 2009 Summit County Board of Elections https://www.boe.ohio.gov/summit/c/elecres/elec1108.htm July 16, 2025 Russ Pry (inc.) Democratic Party (United States) 150,292 60.90% Jim Laria Republican Party (United States) 96,489 39.10% 246,781 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) References Category:2008 United States county executive elections Category:2008 Ohio elections Summit County Executive Category:Summit County, Ohio Executive elections