Schmucker returns to Holmes BOE for seventh term
Wes Schmucker will begin his seventh term as a member of the Holmes County Board of Elections March 1, as one of two Republican members on the four-person board.
The new face of the Holmes County Board of Elections is an old face, at least in terms of service to Holmes County in that capacity.
The Holmes County Republican Central Committee met Wednesday, Feb. 22 and reappointed Wes Schmucker to a four-year term representing the Republican Party on the Holmes County Board of Elections. His current term is set to expire Feb. 28.
“Wes Schmucker has represented our party very ably for many years,” said Rob Hovis, Holmes County Republican Party chair. “He was willing to serve another term, and I didn’t receive any contact from any other interested party, so we reappointed him.”
The county board of elections is composed of four members, consisting of two Republicans and two Democrats. The BOE supervises elections in the county.
The Republican Executive Committee is composed of the Central Committee members elected by the voters in each precinct, plus the county-wide Republican elected officials.
Joining Schmucker as the other Republican board member is local attorney Mark Baserman, Jr. Hovis said both Republican members have served on the BOE for a long time. The two Democratic board members are Michael Jaeb and Gary Wagers.
Schmucker said he was honored to return to his role, one that he takes very seriously, as he said all the board members do.
“I consider it an honor to serve on the Holmes County Board of Elections,” Schmucker said. “We want to make sure all of the elections are fair and every vote is not only counted but counted honestly, and I feel that happens every election.”
Schmucker said Holmes County BOE has been audited many times over the years, and each time the audit results come back, the numbers match up perfectly.
In the audit process, a certain number of paper ballots are matched up with electronic ballots, and they’ve always matched.
Schmucker said that begins with Holmes BOE director Lisa Welch, whom Schmucker said provides incredible leadership. He also said having the support of the Holmes County commissioners is also important.
Now set to begin his seventh term and 25th year as a representative on the Holmes BOE, Schmucker said what truly makes the board a success is the ability to put aside any difference and do what is best for the county.
“We’ve got great leadership, and we’re in a great place as a county BOE,” Schmucker said. “We’ve got great people, and we all get along, and most importantly, we all have an end goal in mind that is bigger than any single one of us or any party issues.”
He said that while they all recognize who the Rs and Ds are among the four board members, when it comes to serving the people of Holmes County, they are all able to put that aside and put the people of Holmes County and the voting process above all.
“When we go into the Board of Elections, we are the Board of Elections, not colors, not two Rs and two Ds,” Schmucker said. “When a BOE can put aside any difference and do what is best for the county and its people and ensure a fair, strong election process, and we come together to serve, everyone is going to win.”