Second hopeful files in north district

A former commissioner is hoping to come back to the role again.

Mike Leonhard, who has served three terms in two stints as a Jay County Commissioner, filed Wednesday afternoon to seek the north district seat again.

Leonhard’s filing creates the first officially contested race for a county office this year as Doug Horn filed Wednesday morning to run for commissioner in the north district.

Also filing Wednesday afternoon was Rebecca Thornburg for precinct committeeman.

Leonhard, 75, has served three previous terms as county commissioner, from 1997 through 2004 and again from 2017 through 2020. He served on Jay County Council in between his commissioner terms.

“There’s just a lot of issues going on in Jay County that I’m not satisfied with,” Leonhard said. “And I guess if you’re not satisfied, you might as well try to do something about it.”

Leonhard was critical of current commissioners for what he said he feels is overuse of consultants and overspending on the purchase of land for possible development on the west side of Portland. He said the county needs to get “back to basics.” 

Addressing key issues, he put his focus on the ongoing conflict between commissioners and Jay County Development Corporation. He also criticized the commissioners hiring of a community coordinator to replace the former Jay County Community Development role.

“My biggest concern is JCDC,” said Leonhard, a 1966 graduate of Portland High School and a retired contractor. “It’s been a grand thing for Jay County all these years …

“They need JCDC.”

Leonhard lost to Rex Journay in the 2020 Republican primary for commissioner in the north district. Journay, who went on to win the seat in the general election, has indicated he does not plan to run for a second term.

Filing for this year’s election, which includes races for Jay County Commissioner, three at-large seats on Jay County Council, Jay County Circuit Court Judge, and county clerk of courts, treasurer, coroner and surveyor, is open in the clerk’s office at Jay County Courthouse. The deadline is noon Feb. 9.