Mayors survive challenges

Both mayors survived primary challenges.

But the results of Tuesday’s election left one local party without its leader.

Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman and Dunkirk Mayor Gene Ritter (see related story) both scored solid wins in the races that highlighted the primary in Jay County.

However, as a result of Geesaman’s win, Jay County Democratic party chair Randy Mann resigned his post.

Geesaman cruised earning his party’s nomination for a third term as Portland’s mayor. He won all five precincts, including a dominant 62-20 effort in Wayne 4, en route to earning 66.1 percent of the overall vote in 264-135 triumph over Bart Darby.

“Thank you so much for having faith. We’re not perfect, but we always have the best interest of the community at heart,” Geesaman said following the election. “Very humbling, very exciting that people reward you for hard work and that you’re in it for the right reasons.”

Geesaman moves on to November’s general election against John Boggs, who was uncontested in Tuesday’s Republican primary. He thanked both of his opponents for running positive campaigns rather than focusing on the negative.

Darby, who works as the assistant police chief for Portland Police Department, also noted his “clean” campaigning as he accepted the loss.

“It is what it is. It seems like the community is happy with the way things were going,” Darby said Tuesday. “It is what it is and I’m sure they know what they’re doing.”

Several Jay County Democrats — party chair Randy Mann Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Aker Ferguson and Darby — gathered at the party’s headquarters on Meridian Street to hear the election results. The mood was subdued as the final results for the Democrat nomination for Portland mayor were announced, with a couple attendees patting Darby on the back and offering condolences.

Mann resigned his position as chair Tuesday night after the final results were announced on WPGW, saying he could not support Geesaman’s candidacy.

“I will not support Mayor Geesaman … because what he did to this party was totally wrong,” Mann said to those gathered at the party headquarters. “I feel like I cannot be in charge of something when the public made a statement. … It’s best that I step down.”

In 2017, Geesaman resigned his role as the party’s treasurer after allegations that he mishandled party funds surfaced. He admitted to misplacing checks and cash and paid $2,000 back to the party.

Mann, who was elected chair in 2017, said he would support Boggs’ run for mayor instead.

Geesaman, when informed of Mann’s resignation, said he was sad to see Mann go. He was dining with friends and was not present at the party headquarters Tuesday night.

“I’ve known Randy for a long time. He’s a hard worker, he was a great city employee, and I believe that he had the best interest of the Democratic Party at heart,” Geesaman said. “I know he worked really hard. I’m sad to see that because … he really wanted the Democratic Party to grow and be a big part of our community.”

In Portland’s only other contested race, incumbent District 3 Portland City Council member Michele Brewster eked out a victory over Republican challenger Steve McIntosh. She earned the right to seek a second term by just a 46-42 margin.

In Redkey, Republican voters tapped Gary Gardner, John Pierce and Pilot Bechtol in a four-way race for three nominations to at-large seats on the Redkey Town Council. Incumbent Dave Dudelston, the fourth candidate, lost his bid for another term.

Final totals showed Gardner with 42 votes, Pierce with 37 and Bechtol with 30, while Dudelston had 26.

That GOP line-up will face Democrats Erik Hammers, Nathan Cole and “Watermellon" Jim Phillips in the fall. Those three were unopposed.

Incumbents Doug Stanley and Ted Friddle did not seek re-election.

Unopposed in Tuesday’s primary and moving on to the general election were:

Republicans — Donald Gillespie for Portland City Court Judge; Matt Goldsworthy for Portland City Council District 1; Don Gillespie for Portland City Council District 4; Kent McClung for Portland City Council District 5; Janet Powers for Portland City Council at-large; Kevin Hamilton for Dunkirk City Council District 1; Bryan Jessup for Dunkirk City Council District 2; Jesse Bivens for Dunkirk City Council District 3; and Krista Scholer for Pennville clerk-treasurer.

Democrats — Lori Aker Ferguson for Portland clerk-treasurer; Dave Cramer for Portland City Council District 1; Judy Hedges for Portland City Council District 2; Dave Golden and Tyler Newell for Portland City Council’s two at-large seats; Tina Elliott for Dunkirk clerk-treasurer; Lisa Street for Dunkirk City Council District 4; Debbie James for Redkey clerk-treasurer; and Donald Shauver for Salamonia Town Board.

Parties have until June 30 to fill open positions on the ballot.

Chip Phillips, an independent, previously filed to run as an independent for the District 3 seat on Dunkirk City Council.