Election results

Complete but unofficial results
With just under a week until Delaware County voters cast their ballots to decide two county commissioner races, two candidates have opened commanding leads in at least one important metric.

The Sunbury/Big Walnut Area Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware County League of Women Voters, the Eastern Delaware County Republican Club, and the Delaware County Democratic Party hosted a standing-room-only “Meet the Candidates Night” in Sunbury Town Hall Thursday. Candidates in contested races each were allowed three minutes to speak and respond to questions. All five Republicans vying for Delaware County Commissioner seats participated. Challengers Joe Garrett and Gary Merrell are seeking the commissioner seat held by incumbent Tommy Thompson. Challenger Al Myers is seeking the seat held by incumbent Ken O’Brien.

After serving for two years as a Concord Township trustee who reduced the size and scope of government, Joe Garrett is ready to take his brand of fiscal conservatism to the Delaware County Board of Commissioners.

Even without the endorsement of his party, incumbent Delaware County Commissioner Tommy Thompson feels as though his first term has been a success thus far, and that voters will reward him for it.

Of his three opponents in the March 6 primary for a seat on the Delaware County Board of Commissioners, former Gazette publisher Gary Merrell is by far the least politically experienced. But he does not see his lack of experience in the political arena as a negative. In fact, he views it as a positive, a chance to inject new ideas into county government.

Former Delaware County Sheriff and small business owner Al Myers is running against incumbent county commissioner Ken O’Brien to “bring some civility and professionalism back into the office.”

Incumbent county commissioner Ken O’Brien is running for another term to “ensure the taxpayer dollars are wisely spent”; and to finish projects currently underway.