Mays tops Stone in Greene commission race; Duchak wins Miami sheriff race
Kennedy wins Greene County Recorder race; Breighton Smith wins GOP primary for Warren County Clerk of Courts.
Xenia Mayor Sarah Mays pulled ahead late to win the Republican primary for a Greene County Commission seat, according to unofficial final results from the Greene County Board of Elections on Tuesday. Mays received 53% of the vote, while former Beavercreek mayor Bob Stone had received 47%.
“I’m genuinely honored. I’m thrilled. My family, my friends, and the community have been a huge support,” Mays said. “I can’t thank the Greene County community enough.”
Additionally, Joe Kennedy narrowly secured the GOP nomination for the Greene County Recorder race with 40% of the vote. Rebekah Dean was just behind with 38% and Ken Kraus at 22%, per unofficial, final results.
In Miami County, incumbent Sheriff Dave Duchak easily won the primary for his office, garnering 63.5% of the vote, while challenger Paul Reece had 36.5% of the vote, per unofficial results from the Miami County Board of Elections.
With all precincts reporting, Breighton Smith won the Republican nomination for the Warren County Clerk of Courts with 54% of the vote, followed by opponent Scott Male with 46% of the vote, per unofficial final results by the Warren County Board of Elections.
Greene County Commission
Former Mayor Bob Stone of Beavercreek and current Xenia Mayor Sarah Mays ran in the Republican primary to fill the seat of County Commissioner Rick Perales, who was not seeking reelection. Since no Democrats filed to run for the seat, the winner of the Republican primary has a clear path to victory in November.
Both candidates emphasized economic development, property tax relief, and infrastructure improvements in the county as their top priorities.
One of Mays’ top priorities is workforce development, including encouraging Greene County students to pursue careers in STEM fields, healthcare, education, and skilled trades — and having adequate housing to support those workers.
“Being a lifelong resident with strong family ties in Greene County, I’m personally invested in attracting and retaining families,” Mays said. “It’s crucial for us to take proactive steps.”
■ Current Greene County Commissioner Tom Koogler’s seat is also up for reelection. He is running
unopposed.
Greene County Recorder
There was a three-way Republican primary in the race for county recorder, between Rebekah Dean, Joe Kennedy, and Ken Kraus. With no Democrats filing petitions for the position, winner Kennedy runs unopposed in November.
The County Recorder is responsible for keeping and maintaining accurate land records, including deeds, titles, liens, and other documents.
Kennedy is president and director of operations at Kennedy Property Group in Xenia, and said he has 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. His top priorities if elected include building relationships with staff, having meaningful conversations with people that use the Recorder’s office, and improving efficiencies between the office and other government agencies.
Miami County Sheriff
In Miami County, incumbent sheriff Dave Duchak faced a challenge from Paul Reece. Duchak has now defeated Reece the past three elections.
Both Duchak and Reece are Republicans. No Democrat filed petitions for the office, so Duchak should be elected in November.
Duchak said the top challenges facing the department are narcotics enforcement, staff recruiting and retention, and combining two jails. He said the heavy flow of drugs requires “tough enforcement combined with treatment.” Duchak said his office sped up recruiting processes and worked with commissioners to get good pay raises for deputies.
Warren County Clerk of Court
Breighton Smith and Scott Male sought the GOP nomination to the Warren County Clerk of Courts Office; Smith will be unopposed in November.
Smith, 37, is a law office manager and has a law degree. His top priorities include maximizing efficiency to save money, modernizing clerk’s office’s technology to make it more effective for all the people it serves, and expanding on the clerk’s office’s legacy of professional, positive customer service.