Meet the Candidate forum to take place Feb. 19
The race for a pair of Holmes County commissioner seats are on the line, with a trio of hopefuls in Steve Johnson, seated left, Eric Strouse and Holley Johnson among those who have been attending recent commissioner meetings.
Over the past several decades, there have not been many big-time election races for a seat at the Holmes County commissioners’ table.
This March will prove to be an exception.
With seven hopefuls running for two commissioner seats, there is expected to be a lively competition, and the Holmes County Republican Party is giving Holmes County people a chance to hear from all of them, as well as from the trio of members running for state representative.
The Holmes County Republican Party will sponsor a Meet the Candidate forum at Millersburg Methodist Community Church on Monday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
The list of candidates will include individuals running in the race for Darrell Kick’s state representative 98th District seat, in which Kick has termed out, and the highly anticipated race for two seats with the Holmes County Board of Commissioners. The Ohio Court of Appeals judge hopefuls also may attend.
“I’ve been party chairman for quite some time, and in my memory, we have never had this many people seeking election for a commissioner’s seat,” said Rob Hovis, Holmes County Republican Party chairman.
The evening will be hosted by moderator Tiffany Gerber of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and will provide an opportunity for each candidate to share no more than six minutes of a prepared speech. In addition, the moderator will then ask questions submitted from the audience.
“With so many candidates, it just seems right that we should have a Meet the Candidates night where people can learn more about who is hoping to work for and represent the people of Holmes County and its interests,” Hovis said. “This should really be an informative yet relaxed evening for people to gain some valuable insight as to who is seeking seats in some pretty important roles in the county.”
Hovis said the commissioner candidates each bring their own skills to the table, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the evening’s discussion.
“They’re from all different walks of life and different times in their lives, and our hope is that people can identify which of the candidates they feel most closely drawn to,” Hovis said.
Hovis said over the many decades, Holmes County has been blessed with strong leadership, and the county is at a very healthy place right now. He said leadership in many different county, business and nonprofit areas have united to create a healthy county.
The three individuals running for the 98th District seat include Scott Pullins, Mark Hiner and Brandon Lape. The two men running for the commissioner’s seat that will commence on Jan. 2, 2025, are current incumbent Joe D. Miller and challenger Ervin D. Yoder. The quintet of individuals seeking the open commissioner’s seat for the retiring Ray Eyler that commences Jan. 3, 2025, includes David Crilow, Holley Johnson, Steve Johnson, Dustin Kaufman and Eric D. Strouse. The two 5th District Court of Appeals hopefuls are Kevin Popham and Dixie Park.
“This event will be a good opportunity for each candidate to share their vision and to inform the public about their qualifications and some of the important topics. They would like to address if they should be elected,” Hovis said.
He said while the candidates will be front and center, it is equally important that the public shows up to have its voice heard in the questions that will be presented to Gerber.
The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about the candidates. Millersburg Methodist Community Church is located at 5395 Township Road 336, just east of Millersburg.