Dueling Dems: Richard, Carbone battle for Massillon law director in May 2 primary

Note: This story was changed to fix an error. See correction at bottom.

MASSILLON – The city has a contested race for the office of law director for the first time since the mid-2000s.

Incumbent Law Director Justin Richard is looking to defend his post against challenger Antonia Carbone. Both candidates are Democrats vying to win the job in the May 2 primary election.

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Whoever wins the primary election has a clear path for the November general election, as there are no Republican candidates or independents in the hunt for the office.

Richard, 45, has been in the role since 2020, after being appointed to fill the vacancy when former Law Director Andrea Scassa was tapped for a city magistrate position.

Richard, who attended Wapahani High School in Selma, Indiana, had served as a chief prosecutor under Scassa for nearly three years prior to taking on the director's job.

"The job isn't finished. So I want to keep it going," said Richard, who touted his experience as a key factor in the race. "Protecting the citizens of Massillon is a job that's never really done."

A better than 95% conviction rate since taking office is an above average success rate, said Richard, also noting that Massillon – under his leadership – is in line to garner around $1 million in opioid lawsuit settlement funds.

In late 2021, the state settled with the three largest opioid distributors — Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen.

One of the more recent challenges of the law director job has been dealing with a rush of mental health matters, according to Richard, who said his office has dealt with the issue admirably.

"There's been an influx of mental health cases we see that aren't criminal," he said. "So we work to help get them the treatment they deserve."

Antonia Carbone cites employee turnover, civil litigation as issues to improve in Massillon Law Department

Carbone, 34, has been an attorney with the Akron-based law firm Amer Cunningham Co. for about three years. She said her position involves civil and criminal litigation with a focus on defense work.

Prior to her present job, Carbone worked as an insurance defense firm attorney. She said she's been active in civil law for more than 10 years and is new to politics.

"I love talking to people and meeting voters," said Carbone, noting that she's been campaigning door-to-door in Massillon for the home stretch. "It's been a quite an experience (to run for office)."

The law director's office is one with apparent high employee turnover, Carbone said, which is a main reason she wants the gig.

"It's not a stable law department and has a ton of turnover," she said. "In the last two years people come and go."

Richard said his office is down one employee – a civil litigation attorney – and acknowledged turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

"A few people have left for better jobs in a workers' market," he said.

If elected, Carbone said, she would put more focus on civil litigation, which is an area where she believes the current administration is lacking.

"I want a fully-staffed law department and will actively work toward that goal," she said.

Richard said he plans to fill the civil litigation position in May.

Carbone, a 2007 graduate of Washington High School, called running for public office for the first time an "eye-opening" experience.

"Politics can be rough," she said. "I believe in a fair democracy and hope (Massillon voters) look to me."

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

Correction: Antonia Carbone has been active in civil law for more than 10 years. Part of her work history was incorrectly stated when this story was first published Wednesday morning.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Law Director May primary Democrats Richard v. Carbone