MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio - The deadline for Democrats interested in running against Al Cutrona to fill a seat in the Ohio Senate previously held by Mike Rulli is fast approaching. 

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson tells 21 News those interested in running have until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1 to submit interest. Candidates can submit their interest to chair@mahoningcountydemocraticparty.com.

So far, three candidates have submitted their interest to run including Youngstown First Ward Councilman Julius Oliver, MS Consultants Principal Dave Mosure and Mahoning County Deputy Prosecutor Marty Hume.

Two others had submitted interest as well, but have since withdrawn. Those candidates are Youngstown Fifth Ward Councilman Pat Kelly and Beyond Plastics Executive Director and East Palestine activist Jess Conard.

Cutrona is currently serving the remainder of former Ohio Senator and newly-elected Congressman Mike Rulli. Rulli resigned from the state Senate following Bill Johnson's appointment as Youngstown State University president.

Anderson says a public town hall will be held via Zoom on July 16 at 6:00 p.m. where the public can meet these candidates and ask them questions. From there, Democrats in the 33rd district will vote on who will run against Cutrona at the end of Rulli's term.

You can register for that meeting to learn more about the candidates here.

"We're incredibly excited about the field of candidates who have expressed interest. We're also incredibly excited about flipping the seat," Anderson said.