Contested Elections Are Coming to a Ballot Near You
A number of contested elections are set for November's general election
Last week was the filing deadline for a number of positions in local goverment; school boards, villages, cities and townships all have seats up for election in November. While many of these seats often go unopposed, this year, there may be quite a few contested elections and as we get closer to the election, we will dive into these races in closer detail.
Contested elections are benefical for communities. The rigors of going through a campaign require candidates to explain their values, vision and ideas for the positions that they are trying to achieve. Communities benefit from having this dialouge to ensure that the candidate that best fits the community fills the roles that are open.
While many of these candidates still need to have their petitions certified by the Board of Elections, we can at least see get a first look at some of the individuals that have made the choice to run for public office and get an idea of some of the names we will see on our ballot later this fall.
Tipp City - City Council
In Tipp City, all candidates are elected at-large (meaning, city wide) and run on one ballot. The three candidates received the most votes are declared the winners. Six candidates have filed to run for a four-year term on the City Council in Tipp City.
Leslie Budding
Kathryn Huffman
John Kessler
Michael McFarland
Will Roberts
Logan Rogers
Piqua - City Commission (Ward 1)
There is a contested race for the Piqua City Commission in the First Ward. According to the charter, while both candidates must reside in the first ward; the candidates are all on the ballot city wide. It’s a unique hybrid set up that ensure all commission members represent a ward, but are elected by the entire community. The two candidates for this four year term are:
James Sheats, Jr.
James Vetter
Pleasant Hill - Village Council
The village council in Pleasant Hill has two at-large seats on the ballot in November. Each seat has a four year term and these are the three candidates that submitted petitions:
Matt Gray
Lee Rademachir
Teri Stivers
Township Fiscal Officer
Township fiscal officers on the ballot this year for a four year term. The fiscal officers act as the official keeper of records for township governments and also are responsible to ensure the bills are paid and deposits are made on behalf of the township. There will be two contested races for fiscal officers in Miami County this year.
Bethel Township - Rhonda Ross and Deborah Watson
Concord Township - Patricia Quillen and William Whidden
Township Trustee
Each township will elect one of three township trustees this November. As a board, the township trustees are responsible for the administration of township affairs that often include road and ditch maintenance, cemetery maintenance, fire and EMS protection and other basic government services for these largely rural communities. Contested elections will occur in three townships this year.
Bethel Township - Donald Black and Kama Dick
Concord Township - Greg Iammarino and Neil Rhoades
Springcreek Township - Dennis Ingle and Vernon Quinter, Jr.
School Boards
Voters will also be asked to elect school board members. These school board members serve four year terms and help set the general policy for the school district and are responsible for hiring school superintendents, school treasurers and other key staff.
Bethel Local Schools (Two Seats) - Regan Butler, Jackie Leskowich, Kerry Pahal, Lori Sebastian
Bethel Local Schools (One Seat - Two-year Unexpired Term) - Megan Black-Striley, Lydda Mansfield, Andrew Vieth
Bradford Exempted Village Schools (Two Seats) - Maria Brewer, Andrew Patty, Scott Swabb
Miami East Local Schools (Two Seats) - John Demmitt, Mark Iiames, Les Kinder
Piqua City Schools (Two Seats) - Clinton E. Bostick III, Steve Frazier, Jojo Marrs
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools (Three Seats) - Linda Ares, Cynthia Wilson. Rebekah Glover, Joshua Grear, Ray Leo Lilly III, Angie McMurray, David Moorehead, Kyle Thompson
Troy City Schools (Two Seats) - Sarah Davis, Brian Honeycutt, Tim Horgan, Benjamin Redick
Are there any local candidates or races that interest you? Feel free to leave a comment and you can also reach me at william.lutz17@gmail.com. Also, feel free to share this information with your friends and neighbors.