Montgomery County Races bring challengers for a change
NOTE: Until the Board of Elections approves petitions next Tuesday at 11am, none of these people are guaranteed on the ballot (however incumbents from major parties almost never get disqualified).
The County Commission is an odd race, where you run for an actual seat at large- not just the top two vote getters- head-to-head combat.
Incumbent Dem Judy Ann Dodge is going to face former Sheriff (who resigned) Dave Vore, and Harold L Robinson both running as Republicans.
Incumbent Dem Deborah A. Lieberman gets to run against Kettering Councilman Stephen Ashley Webb who is a Republican.
Unfortunately, no one is challenging Montgomery County Prosecutor for life Mat Heck Jr. Word is most are afraid of vindictive treatment in the courts if they challenge his highness.
The Clerk of Courts, Dem Gregory A Brush is facing Republican Michael Joseph Foley (no relation to County Commissioner Dan Foley).
The County Recorder, Dem Willis E Blackshear Sr. is facing Republican challenger Timothy C O’Bryant.
Rene L. Oberer who ran against Turner in the last Congressional race- calling Turner a liberal, is now challenging Dem Treasurer Carolyn Rice.
The Coroner, Engineer and Sheriff are all running unopposed.
What is the logic of having the engineer and coroner (and surely others) elected vs being hired ?
I should have thrown my hat in the ring for Sheriff. Ol’ Sheriff Bubba has a good ring to it!!
Oh, well – I’ll make a note to submit my petition in ’15.
Hall asks the right question. Engineer and Coroner sounds like adminstrative positions. But they might be Constitutionally mandated offices (by the Ohio constitution).
>>> Engineer and Coroner sounds like administrative positions. <<< -JD
I’d disagree that they sound like “administrative positions.” Quite the opposite as they are both technical positions. One would think that the coroner would have a medical background and be educationally qualified and experienced to make judgements as to cause of death. As I was writing this, I decided to save DL the time of looking this up so I googled the qualifications for coroner and here’s what I found. If you click the link, be sure to note the part about being a coroner in 1945.
According to Wikipedia, to be the county engineer, you must be a licensed surveyor and an engineer. Per that same article, I am qualified to be sheriff since the only qualification is a two year college degree or five years of supervisory experience in law enforcement. Sheriff Bubba is sounding better all the time!
Interestingly, none of the other county offices (commissioner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, clerk of courts, etc.) have any other qualifications other than living in the county and being 18. That explains a lot!
Maybe if these fiscal conservative republicians can win a race, they can clean up the overspending at the county level. (Board of Elections- Auditors Office-Clerk of Courts) for starters! Trouble is Gregg Gantt is a terrible Chairman (Cant raise money) And until now couldn’t find candidates. The D’s are on the hot seat, alot of possible close races, everyone will want to get into your pocket. The troble is Mark Owens can’t raise money and is a bad campagin manager ( Rhine McClin race) My vote is for Esrati for real change!
Rene Oberer is a legend in her own mind. How is she even qualified for County Treasurer? This is her third political aspiration (Congress (lost), School Board (lost) and now County Treasurer (she’ll lose). She’s a political opportunist out for some power, and nothing more.
Did Ashley Webb win?? Or was the winner Deb Lieberman???