SIDNEY — The Shelby County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee have nominated two people to represent the county on the Shelby County Board of Elections.

During a Feb. 8 meeting, the committee nominated Susan Dunson to replace Jim Thompson, who resigned from the board in November. The committee had nominated Gibbs to replace Thompson. Secretary of State Frank LaRose denied the nomination citing an investigation was ongoing concerning Gibbs’ unsuccessful run at the Fourth Congressional District House seat three years ago.

Thompson’s term will expire March 1, 2025.

Dunson, of Sidney, said her goal as a member of the Board of Elections is “to use my education and organizational skills to benefit the community.”

She is a 1970 graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School, Spring Church, Pennsylvania; a 1974 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania; and a 1977 graduate of the University of Southern California. She also studied at Edison State Community College where she became a certified public accountant.

Retired, Dunson’s career has included teaching math in West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, and at the University of Akron and Edison State Community College. She had worked at Copeland Corp/Emerson Electric, LeRoi Compressors and Holloway Sportswear. She is a member of the Democratic Women of Shelby County.

She is married to Jeff Dunson.

The committee also nominated Merrill Asher to serve another four years on the board of elections. Asher’s term ends Feb. 28.

During the meeting, Gibbs gave the committee a letter recommending they move forward with Dunson’s nomination and Asher’s renomination for the two seats.

“After attending the February Shelby County Board of Elections meeting on February 6, 2023, it is clear that any further delay of a Board appointment would be detrimental to the Democrat Party’s voice for the people,” wrote Gibbs. “The willingness of the existing and outgoing Republican appointees to mock, embarrass, belittle, and hold up for public spectacle Member Merrill Asher at their February 6 meeting was a stain upon the spirit of bipartisan election administration. The display demonstrated that without full Board representation, the temptation for majority members to run roughshod over the people’s voice is not only enticing but now expected by their supporters and handlers.

“It is therefore my recommendation the Executive Committee move forward immediately to nominate Susan Dunson and to renominate Member Merrill Asher to serve the people on the Shelby County Board of Elections,” he continued.

“This prompt action will accomplish two objectives. First and foremost, it will ensure the Shelby County Democrat Party participates in the required March 2023 Board reorganization process with full representation so the voices of all Shelby County voters may be heard. Second, it will separate the appointment process from the investigation and civil action involving those partisans, members of the public, a former Shelby County elected official, and a past employee of the Board who may have colluded to mount a premeditated disinformation campaign aimed at Secretary of State LaRose to discredit my son, former Sheriff John Lenhart, and the nomination process itself,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs also thanked the party and committee for the tenacity they have shown in the “face of vitriol partisan resistance” regarding his nomination to the board of elections.

A spokesperson for LaRose’s office said the nominations have been received and are being reviewed.