SIDNEY — Two people were interviewed for a position with the Shelby County Board of Elections.
According to Aaron Heilers, Republican Executive chairman, Chris Gibbs, a 12-year-board member, and James Kerg were both interviewed Feb. 11 by the Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee.
In a statement from Heilers about the appointment, he said, “The Executive Committee made the nomination according to provisions in the Ohio Revised code. Mr. Kerg replaces Chris Gibbs, a 12-year member of the board of elections. The Shelby County Republican Party appreciates Chris’ services to the county and its citizens.
“Kerg brings a wealth of business, community and political experiences to the position,” said Heilers. “He is the current president and CEO of Precision Custom Products Inc; has served on numerous community boards in leadership positions and has been active in the Republican Party as a former Shelby County Republican Central Committee member; former city council member and former vice mayor.”
Heilers said the Executive Committee takes the nomination process seriously and “respects the integrity of the board of elections.
“Members vetted the candidates and discussed thoroughly the importance of this nomination,” said Heilers. “We are confident Mr. Kerg will do an excellent job representing the voters in Shelby County and look forward to Secretary of State’s LaRose officially appointing Mr. Kerg to the position.”
During the meeting, both candidates were introduced by the members by Heilers. Each man was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and explain why they wanted to serve on the board. Committee members asked questions of both candidates.
After the interviews, the committee members discussed each candidate. Ballots were distributed to each member and collected by Heilers and Joel Knouff. The vote was 8-1 In favor of Kerg.
Committee member Bob Guillozet moved the committee recommend Kerg to the Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office for the board of elections seat.
The ballots were destroyed after the vote was recorded in the minutes.
Heilers also addressed the resignation of the second Republican board of elections member, Jon Baker, who resigned following Tuesday’s board of election meeting. Baker said in his resignation letter that he is “in serious conflict with the recent decision of the Shelby County Republican Central Committee to not reappoint our board chairman, Chris Gibbs.”
“It is unfortunate that Mr. Baker has resigned his position on the board of elections and that we will lose his experience,” said Heilers. “We thank him for his service to the citizens of Shelby County.
“Again, the Executive Committee is tasked with an important role to nominate a candidate to the Secretary of State’s office. Given the timing of this resignation, we will forward our nomination to the Secretary of State’s office so the individual can be seated by the March 4 reorganizational meeting,” said Heilers.
The Executive Committee has 15 days following Baker’s resignation to make a nomination to the Secretary of State’s office.
Members of the Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee present for the interviews were Heilers, Guillozet, Knouff, Sanna Hill-Aikin, Pat Goldschmidt, Nathan Lotz, Michele Mumford, HR Pence and Denny York.
