SIDNEY — A Botkins man has been nominated to the Shelby County Board of Elections.

The Shelby County Democratic Executive Committee met Monday to nominate James “Jim” Thompson, 106 W. State St., Botkins, to the board. The nomination goes to Secretary of State Frank LaRose for his confirmation.

“Jim has a long career of public service,” said Tom Kerrigan, Executive/Central Committee chairman. The committee met to fill the vacancy created when Chuck Craynon resigned from the board on Sept. 13.

Thompson is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was chief deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, was Botkins police chief and was an investigator with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Board. He also served the American Red Cross and was a member of the Botkins Village Council.

“We are so happy to have Jim again in the right job at the right time,” said Kerrigan. “Again, we, the Executive/Central Committee, thank Chuck Craynon for his great service to Shelby County and we know that Jim Thompson will again serve admirably as he has served a few short years ago.”

Thompson was on the board of elections and had resigned for health reasons. Craynon finished Thompson’s term. Now Thompson is finishing Craynon’s term on the board. Thompson had served on the board of elections for approximately six years.

Thompson also served on the Edison State Community College Board of Trustees for eight years. He is an investigator with the law firm of Elsass, Wallace, Evans and Schnelle.