SIDNEY — “The times they are a-changin” for the Shelby County Treasurer’s office, as Republican candidate John Coffield wins the Shelby County treasurer’s seat. This was the first time in 14 years that the race was contested.
Unofficial results show that Coffield won 63 percent of the votes — 14,068 votes — to 37 percent — or 8,255 votes — of his Democratic opponent Linda Meininger.
“I feel great, especially for my first time (running),” said Coffield. “I’ve been doing this since the beginning of the year; attending various events. I’ve been going door-to-door since the beginning of August.”
Coffield, a Sidney native, is retired from the banking business after 36 years. He will take office next September.
Meininger, of Sidney, has served as Shelby County treasurer for the past 14 years and worked for the Treasurer’s office for the last 32 years.
“I’m disappointed,” Meininger said. “I wanted to continue. I’ve done the best I could. I’m proud of the job I did. But, I’m sure it will run smoothly under Mr. Coffield.”
Coffield previously told the Sidney Daily News his goals for the treasurer’s office are to maximize returns of invested money, protect the principal, collect real estate tax delinquencies, and to bring on a new perspective to the Treasurer’s office.
He said with his background and qualifications, he had hoped that voters would have confidence and faith in him to do a good job.
Coffield graduated from Lehman Catholic High School and Miami University, and retired from Chase Bank. In 1992 he transferred from the Sidney office to Bank One Corporate in Columbus. In 2009, after his father developed health issues, he moved back to Sidney.
Coffield has said his years working in various departments within the banking business will be an asset as county treasurer.
