Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti announced Sept. 25 that he will not seek re-election in 2024.
“I want to first state that my recent differences with two (2) Lorain County Commissioners (Dave Moore and Jeff Riddell) has absolutely nothing to do with this decision of mine,” Stammitti wrote in a news release.
Stammitti is 72 years old.
He discussed his decision with his family and decided he will serve out the remainder of his term which ends Jan. 5, 2025, the release said.
“I also want everyone to know that I will continue to do my job to its fullest that I was elected to by the people of this great county, no matter what, until I leave office,” Stammitti wrote.
Stammitti is in the midst of serving his sixth term as sheriff.
“I want to thank all my family, friends and supporters, my long time treasurer John Malanowski, my wife Mary Jo, and all of the employees at the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office (former and present) that I have worked alongside,” he wrote. “The employees that are here now are tremendous people and hard workers, no matter what division they are in at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Stammitti has served more than 50 years in law enforcement, more than 37 years at the Sheriff’s Office and more than 23 years as sheriff.
“I am the longest serving sheriff from Lorain County, and am proud of the fact that I am the only sheriff that has obtained the status of serving as president of the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association,” he wrote. “These are honors I will always cherish.”
Stammitti also praised his predecessor and mentor Sheriff Martin J. Mahony, who served for 16 years as Lorain County sheriff.
Mahony also was Stammitti’s former partner at the Lorain Police Department in the Narcotics Bureau.
“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for him,” Stammitti wrote about Mahony. “I also want to mention my former campaign managers, former Lorain County Commissioner Herbert Jacoby and Businessman Gary Mead, who helped me tremendously in my first campaign back in 2000.
“I also want to thank all of the citizens of Lorain County for (their) past support of me and the Sheriff’s Office, it truly has been appreciated. I have enjoyed my tenure as Lorain County sheriff and I want to thank everyone for their support through the years.
“This job has not always been an easy one, but I have always strived to do my best and the ‘right thing’ by the citizens and the employees. Thank you for letting me serve as your sheriff.”
