The May 8 primary elections are heating up. Among the competitive races is the election for Montgomery County Commissioner. Both the Democratic and Republican candidates face challengers.
There are two challengers in the Democratic primary for County commissioner - Carolyn Rice, the current Montgomery County Treasurer, and Don Shaffer, a chiropractic physician and former Clayton City Council member.
Rice touts her experience in the treasurer’s office, as well as her work with private-sector businesses and public education. She says decisions made by the commission in the next few years will help continue the job growth seen in Dayton in recent years.
Shaffer says his experience as a medical practitioner and his time spent in city government will allow him to work with the other commissioners on issues such as crime, jobs, education and the opioid crisis.
Those are also issues of concern for the three Republican candidates in the Republican primary for county commissioner: Gary Leitzell, Doug Barry and Bob Matthews. Leitzell served as mayorof Dayton for four years (2010 - 2014) during an economic downturn. Both Barry and Matthews have previously served as Miami Township trustees.
Democrats have held the majority on the Montgomery County Commission for more than a decade.
