TROY — Ted Mercer, a Troy businessman and former city councilman, was appointed Thursday from 12 candidates as a Miami County commissioner by the county Republican Central Committee.
Sixty-one committee members participated in voting on two ballots in making the selection. Steve Baker, retired WHIO-TV reporter/videographer of Troy, had the second most votes and Wade Westfall of Troy, a former county commissioner, the third.
The committee heard from each candidate in a closed session before voting by written ballots in a public session.
“I’m very humbled,” said Mercer, owner of the Mercer Group Inc. Turf Grass Specialists. He served on Troy City Council for 12 years.
“I want to serve Miami County. I can assure you my phone and my door are always open ... I am ready to go to work tomorrow ... I appreciate your support,” Mercer said.
The seat was vacated when Bill Beagle of Tipp City, elected commissioner last year, said in December he was taking a job with new State Treasurer Robert Sprague. Beagle previously served as 5th District State senator.
Beagle was the lone candidate for the seat that was held by longtime Commissioner John “Bud” O’Brien of Monroe Twp. O'Brien didn’t run for re-election to pursue the 80th District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. The seat was won by Jena Powell of Darke County.
The appointed commissioner will serve through 2020 when the seat will be on the ballot for the remaining two years of the four year term. The new commissioner will join Jack Evans and Greg Simmons, both Republicans, on the three-member commission.
Those applying for the appointment were:
- Lisa Bricker, Troy, former small business owner, public education in cosmetology
- Joe Gibson, Tipp City, lawyer, current Tipp City mayor
- Ryan King, Piqua, business owner, member Miami County Board of Elections
- Gary Koenig, Piqua, retired military, former Piqua mayoral candidate
- Tina Roberts, Bethel Twp., local government experience, recently retired Realtor
- Jim Utrecht, Concord Township, lawyer
- Brad Vath, Tipp City, retired assistant city manager/development director of Tipp City
- David Wagner, Elizabeth Township, former township trustee, farmer and small business owner
- Mark Williams, Staunton Township, businessman, former candidate for state representative
- Joe Wilson, Piqua, works at Honda of America, former Piqua city commissioner.
