GOP candidate withdraws from council race

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A Republican who filed as a candidate for city council from Ward 3 has withdrawn her candidacy, according to the Highland County Board of Elections.

Sharolyn L. Moore, a resident of Lilly Hill, sent a letter to the election board stating that she was withdrawing for personal reasons, according to Steve Witham, elections administrator.

Moore is the second Republican in the last two weeks to consider a run for the Ward 3 position only to change plans. Earlier, Kay Barrera had pulled petitions for the seat, but later said she was prohibited from running because she is a classified civil service employee in Clinton County.

Paulette Donley, chair of the Highland County Republican Party, said Monday she was disappointed but she respected Moore’s decision.

The filing deadline for partisan candidates was Feb. 1, but Witham said he was checking with state election officials on the question of whether the GOP is permitted to name a replacement, although such a move is usually permitted only after a candidate withdraws after having been nominated in a primary election.

In the meantime, Moore’s withdrawal leaves Democratic hopeful Tim Countryman as the only candidate from Ward 3, although non-affiliated independent candidates have until May 1 to file for city offices.

The only primary contest on May 2 will be between Republican hopefuls Jason Grove and Joe Mahan for the Ward 4 council seat. The winner will face Democratic candidate Mary B. Stanforth in November. Until Moore’s withdrawal, all council races except president of council were set to feature contested races in November.

However, all voters throughout Highland County and four other counties will decide a levy on May 2 for the Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMH) in what is technically considered a special election.

The 1-mill, 10-year levy would generate $4.6 million annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 property approximately $35 a year. Created in 1967, ADAMH serves a five-county area that includes Highland, Fayette, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties. Last November, voters in those five counties cast 52,526 votes against a similar levy and 40,378 votes for it.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or by email at [email protected].

Action leaves only Dem hopeful in Ward 3

By Gary Abernathy

[email protected]

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