May 6, 2015 at 6:01 p.m.
Mammoth margins
Geesaman and Miller cruise in primaries
Mammoth margins
By By Ray Cooney and Mason Shreve-
Any suspense was erased in a hurry.
The question became not who would win, but by how mammoth a margin.
Incumbent Democrat Randy Geesaman and Jay County Republican Party chairman Milo Miller Jr. were dominant Tuesday in their bids for nominations for mayor of Portland. Both earned more than 70 percent of the vote.
Those two races accounted for half of the contested primaries in the county municipal elections. The others saw Michele Brewster earn the Republican nomination for Portland City Council’s District 3 seat and Doug Stanley, Ted Friddle and Greg Curme take the three Democratic nominations for Redkey Town Council.
Voter turnout was 20.7 percent.
The outcome in Portland’s mayoral races was apparent from the outset, as Geesaman and Miller won by wide margins in the first precinct to report results.
Geesaman turned in his best effort in Wayne 2, defeating former Portland street and parks department superintendent Jeff Harker by a margin of 83-18. His lead expanded to more than 100 votes after the next precinct’s numbers came in, bringing quick congratulations from fellow Democrats at the party’s headquarters on South Meridian Street.
He went on to roll to a 346-107 victory, earning 76.4 percent of the vote.
The question became not who would win, but by how mammoth a margin.
Incumbent Democrat Randy Geesaman and Jay County Republican Party chairman Milo Miller Jr. were dominant Tuesday in their bids for nominations for mayor of Portland. Both earned more than 70 percent of the vote.
Those two races accounted for half of the contested primaries in the county municipal elections. The others saw Michele Brewster earn the Republican nomination for Portland City Council’s District 3 seat and Doug Stanley, Ted Friddle and Greg Curme take the three Democratic nominations for Redkey Town Council.
Voter turnout was 20.7 percent.
The outcome in Portland’s mayoral races was apparent from the outset, as Geesaman and Miller won by wide margins in the first precinct to report results.
Geesaman turned in his best effort in Wayne 2, defeating former Portland street and parks department superintendent Jeff Harker by a margin of 83-18. His lead expanded to more than 100 votes after the next precinct’s numbers came in, bringing quick congratulations from fellow Democrats at the party’s headquarters on South Meridian Street.
He went on to roll to a 346-107 victory, earning 76.4 percent of the vote.
“It’s very humbling. I’m very appreciative,” said Geesaman, who served as clerk-treasurer in Portland before defeating two-term Republican incumbent Bruce Hosier in the 2011 general election. “We tried to tirelessly attack a lot of the issues that we’ve had in the past that have never been addressed, and it makes me feel warm that people believe that we’re headed in the right direction.”
Miller’s outlook was nearly as bright at a gathering of Republicans at John Jay Center.
His margin of victory in Wayne 2 was 30 votes, and he won each of the remaining four by at least 25. The former six-term county commissioner picked up 72 percent of the vote, defeating wastewater treatment plant employee Doug Blankenbaker 242-94.
“It feels good,” Miller said. “I’m glad people have enough faith in me to vote for me.”
Both candidates indicated they’re looking forward to a good race in the November general election, with Miller mentioning he is excited to participate in this summer’s parades, as well as Republican Day at the Jay County Fair.
“Now the real work begins,” he said with a smile.
Geesaman noted his respect for Miller and his hope for a campaign focused on making Portland better for its citizens.
“One of the great things is it’s hard to find really good public servants. Milo’s always been a great public servant,” said Geesaman. “I think he’ll be a really great opponent. I think we’ll have a really good discussion of issues.”
Brewster won the by the widest margin of any Jay County candidate Tuesday, racking up 81.1 percent of the vote in District 3. She defeated fellow Republican Mark Iliff 54-12 in the race to take over the seat currently held by her husband, Michael Brewster.
No Democrats have filed for the position, leaving Michele Brewster currently unopposed for the November general election.
“I think it will be a good challenge,” she said of the possibility of joining council. “Thanks to all of those who voted for me … especially my husband.”
In Redkey, Stanley and incumbent Ted Friddle were the clear frontrunners, finishing first and second with 81 and 72 votes respectively. The race for the final spot came down to a single vote, with incumbent Greg Curme edging former council member “Watermellon” Jim Phillips 45-44 to advance to the general election.
Stanley, a former town council president, Friddle and Curme will advance to the election against Republican David Dudelston, who was unopposed in Tuesday’s primary. The top three vote-getters in November will earn seats on the council.
Other Portland candidates who advanced to the general election without opposition Tuesday were: Republicans Donald Gillespie (city court judge), Mickey Scott (clerk-treasurer), Janet Powers (council at-large), Bill Gibson (council District 1), Don Gillespie (council District 4), Kent McClung (council District 5); and Democrats Judy Aker (council at-large) and Mark Hedges (council District 2).
Debbie James also advanced after running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Redkey clerk-treasurer.
There were no elections in any of the other municipalities in Jay County because all candidates in Dunkirk, Pennville, Bryant and Salamonia were unopposed.
Miller’s outlook was nearly as bright at a gathering of Republicans at John Jay Center.
His margin of victory in Wayne 2 was 30 votes, and he won each of the remaining four by at least 25. The former six-term county commissioner picked up 72 percent of the vote, defeating wastewater treatment plant employee Doug Blankenbaker 242-94.
“It feels good,” Miller said. “I’m glad people have enough faith in me to vote for me.”
Both candidates indicated they’re looking forward to a good race in the November general election, with Miller mentioning he is excited to participate in this summer’s parades, as well as Republican Day at the Jay County Fair.
“Now the real work begins,” he said with a smile.
Geesaman noted his respect for Miller and his hope for a campaign focused on making Portland better for its citizens.
“One of the great things is it’s hard to find really good public servants. Milo’s always been a great public servant,” said Geesaman. “I think he’ll be a really great opponent. I think we’ll have a really good discussion of issues.”
Brewster won the by the widest margin of any Jay County candidate Tuesday, racking up 81.1 percent of the vote in District 3. She defeated fellow Republican Mark Iliff 54-12 in the race to take over the seat currently held by her husband, Michael Brewster.
No Democrats have filed for the position, leaving Michele Brewster currently unopposed for the November general election.
“I think it will be a good challenge,” she said of the possibility of joining council. “Thanks to all of those who voted for me … especially my husband.”
In Redkey, Stanley and incumbent Ted Friddle were the clear frontrunners, finishing first and second with 81 and 72 votes respectively. The race for the final spot came down to a single vote, with incumbent Greg Curme edging former council member “Watermellon” Jim Phillips 45-44 to advance to the general election.
Stanley, a former town council president, Friddle and Curme will advance to the election against Republican David Dudelston, who was unopposed in Tuesday’s primary. The top three vote-getters in November will earn seats on the council.
Other Portland candidates who advanced to the general election without opposition Tuesday were: Republicans Donald Gillespie (city court judge), Mickey Scott (clerk-treasurer), Janet Powers (council at-large), Bill Gibson (council District 1), Don Gillespie (council District 4), Kent McClung (council District 5); and Democrats Judy Aker (council at-large) and Mark Hedges (council District 2).
Debbie James also advanced after running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Redkey clerk-treasurer.
There were no elections in any of the other municipalities in Jay County because all candidates in Dunkirk, Pennville, Bryant and Salamonia were unopposed.
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