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Abruzzino announces run for municipal judge seat

Abruzzino

SALEM — A Perry Township resident and military veteran is hoping to serve as the next county municipal court judge. Vito J. Abruzzino made the announcement on Tuesday.

In a press release, Abruzzino said that he will seek the Republican nomination for the judge seat left open by the retiring Judge Mark Frost, who cannot run for re-election due to Ohio election laws mandating the age requirements for running for judge.

Abruzzino is a U.S. Army Veteran and current United States Air Force Reserve Judge Advocate (JAG). He is also a partner at the Salem offices of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd.

In the release, Abruzzino said that he will rely on his strong military and civilian experience in prosecution, defense, and civil matters as credentials for the seat.

“The cases I’ve taken on behalf of our men and women in uniform are often heart-wrenching, demanding, and have critical implications to national security and theaters of conflict. Here at home, a judge must understand that his or her decisions have a profound impact on people’s lives, security, and safety,”Abruzzino said in the release.

He also commended Frost for his service.

“Judge Frost has done an extraordinary job in his many years on the bench. I want to thank him for serving our families with distinction,” Abruzzino said.

It was also stated in the release that Columbiana County’s top Republican and Conservative opinion leaders have already expressed support for Abruzzino’s campaign, including newly-elected State Senator Michael Rulli.

“Vito will bring the type of professionalism and demeanor to the bench that will serve the citizens of Columbiana County well,” Rulli said.

According to the release, Abruzzino would like to implement an Honor Court program in the Municipal Court, much like the programs currently running in both Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

“Veterans have made countless sacrifices on behalf of our Country. This is a worthy program, endorsed by the Ohio Supreme Court, and will help countless Vets and their families in our area,” Abruzzino said.

Abruzzino has been a prosecutor and public defender in U.S. military courts, as well as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district of South Carolina. After leaving the active duty JAG Corps in 2012, Major Abruzzino joined the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna, Ohio, as a reservist, currently serving as its Deputy Staff Judge Advocate.

In addition to his law practice in Salem, Abruzzino is the part-time director of the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC), a department of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. The commission focuses on building community support for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Camp James A. Garfield in Ravenna.

Abruzzino lives with his wife, Courtney (Pilch) Abruzzino of Salem, and their daughter, Autumn.

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