'Politics Junkie' Spends 25 Years Leading, Planning, Cooking

This is the first in a periodic series of profiles that explore the lives and stories of Valley residents.


Chris Michelakis has met them all.

Just in recent years, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Al Gore. If they swung through Trumbull County, the politics junkie was there to greet them. But whatever the event -- a picnic, a stump speech, a social hour -- he wouldn't socialize for long.

The former county treasurer and board of elections chair had a few more important hats to wear when it came to his Democratic Party.

"If we had a picnic for precinct people, which could be 200 or 300, he was in cooking, not socializing," said Barbara Katzenburger, former party secretary. "That was something that endeared him to lots of people. He put his heart and soul into it. He was a good fund raiser, a good organizer. He was just a good chairman."

Now 72, he's been at it for 25 years, first getting involved with the party as a precinct committeeman and, later, vice chairman. For the last eight years, he's been the party's top dog. For the last 10, he's been battling cancer. Earlier this month, he decided not to run for a third term.

"I know there have been many times I don't think he felt good," said Katzenburger. "He never, ever complained ever about anything."

After Michelakis was first elected committeeman, his involvement quickly grew through the years, especially when Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992.

"I just wanted to get involved in politics," said Michelakis. "I just wanted to be involved. I wanted to get a Democrat in there."

Fred Alberini, a past chairman who got involved around the same time, said the party was going through somewhat of a rebellion with no bylaws or structure. Things have changed for the better, he said.

"And Chris has kept the fairness moving in the right direction," said Alberini.

His friends said he was neutral when he had to be and supportive when he could be. He helped keep up candidate endorsements and a pool of money that equally funds those candidates' campaigns. He was instrumental in recently opening a second party headquarters in Trumbull County in light of a full slate of candidates running for state offices this year.

He brought back the party's young Democrats group about six years ago. That was part of one of Michelakis' biggest goals during his work with the party.

"Old timers are getting older, and we need some young people involved," he said. "It's been going pretty good for (the group)."

At the same time, he's served in positions such as Trumbull County Treasurer and was just appointed to a second term as chairman of the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

After the death of his wife, Margaret, earlier this year, in light of his health and party because of his age, Michelakis told his party last month he wouldn't run for a third consecutive term as party chairman. He said the party needs some new blood in charge. He said his replacement, Trumbull Commissioner Dan Polivka, would do well in the spot.

"The chairman's job is a thankless job," said Michelakis. "You do a lot of work. One of the biggest problems is raising money. Someone young can do that a little better than me."

He'll still serve as precinct committeeman.

His good friend John Emanuel said despite Michelakis' public position as chairman, he's stayed under the radar and away from the lime light.

"He certainly deserves any recognition because he never sought it," said Emanuel. "He's retired from the chairmanship but not from the community or the Warren area."

When asked what he hopes happens to his party, Michelakis simply said he doesn't want it to stay idle.

"I want someone to go out there and do some work," he said.