Deckard, Martin Lucas, Oliphant, Sharp cruise to Democratic Party nominations in Monroe County

None of the contested countywide races for the Democratic Party in Tuesday’s Monroe County primary election were especially close, with each race decided by at least a 16-point margin.

The winners of Democratic Party nominations for the Nov. 3 general election were Trent Deckard for county commissioner, Tree Martin Lucas for county clerk, Erika Oliphant for prosecuting attorney, and Judith Sharp for county assessor. That’s based on unofficial results from the Monroe County election division.

The only Republican candidate on the primary ballot for any of those races was Julie Hays for county clerk. There is still time for the GOP to fill ballot vacancies until July 3.

In the constested Perry Township trustee race, Leon Gordon won the Demoratic Party’s nomination.

County commissioner

In the Democratic primary for Monroe County commissioner District 1, Trent Deckard prevailed over David Henry by a margin of 7,409 (59.7%) to 5,006 (40.3%). Deckard was able to win 70 of Monroe County’s 83 precincts.

Democrats gathered for an election watch party at Sleeper’s Bar inside Cascades Inn on North Walnut. In his remarks to the gathering after his win appeared secure, Deckard thanked all the election workers. He continued, describing his campaign:

I talked a lot about collaborative leadership style. I talked a lot about how we come together around common goals. And I didn’t just say that because some poll told me that, or somebody said, “This is what people are mad about.” I did that because I’ve watched federal, state and local government for a long time as a consumer of history, as a student, grad student, undergrad, you name it, and I know that that’s what works.

… I met them today at the polls. I met them at doors. They don’t have time for all our stuff. They have no time for it, and they have no patience for it, and they want to know: When are you all going to do the big things you say?

… I think local government is part of that solution around this community of care. And if we can’t agree on having a community of care, my gosh, what are we doing, Democrats?”

Deckard said, “The message that I want to send out to folks tonight is: The nice guy doesn’t always finish last.”

Deckard said he appreciated the phone call he received from David Henry saying, “I appreciate his work and hard effort in this campaign.”

The B Square missed Henry’s remarks given at Sleeper’s Bar, but he sent along the highlights. They start with a reference to Charlotte Zietlow, who died late last year. During the campaign, Henry invoked Zietlow as someone who ran based on the ideas she brought to the table, saying that’s what elections are supposed to be about. At one forum, Henry delivered a line that will likely be remembered in the political histories of Monroe County: “Charlotte Zietlow didn’t run as a hat. She ran on issues.”

My thoughts go to people who cannot be with us tonight. I’ve been thinking a lot about Charlotte. One of her favorite lines was: “The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.”

For those of us who want a new direction for Monroe County, it is going to take a little longer.

Charlotte lost about as many races as she won, including some big ones. Mayor. Congress. Last summer, when I was thinking through this campaign, I asked her what the worst thing was that could happen if I ran. She said, “The worst thing that could happen is you would win.”

Having missed that fate, I suspect Charlotte would be laughing tonight at the one that has befallen Trent.

The results are in. They are not what I hoped for. But Trent has the skills to help our county listen more, change direction, and get things done. I congratulate him and wish him well.I will work with anyone who wants to work for that new direction.

And to the people in this county who have been harmed more than helped: call me. I will stand up for you. No matter what office I hold, that is all I know how to do.

Other contested county races: Clerk, prosecutor, assessor

The race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for county clerk was a three-way competition. Tree Martin Lucas won with 5,774 votes (47.7%), followed by Tanner Dale Branham with 3,787 (31.3%) and Joe Davis with 2,549 (21.0%). Lucas will face Republican Julie M. Hays in the November general election. Hays was unopposed in the Republican primary and received 2,969 votes.

Martin Lucas served previously as chief deputy clerk. That’s the job to which outgoing clerk Nicole Browne recently appointed Branham to fill a vacancy.

In the Democratic Party’s primary for Monroe County prosecuting attorney, incumbent Erika Oliphant prevailed over Benjamin Arrington by 45-point margin, taking 9,177 votes (72.3%) to Arrington’s 3,518 (27.7%).

In her remarks at Sleeper’s, Oliphant said, “I’m very, very grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Monroe County as your prosecuting attorney.” She continued, saying, “Thank you to everyone who voiced support, who checked in on me, who did all of the things to make this a successful year.” She added, “I’m really looking forward to continuing to work in my community, to make sure that we’re supporting this most vulnerable.”

The Democratic primary for county assessor also produced a decisive result, with incumbent Judy Sharp prevailing over Bob Nyquist by a margin of 8,048 (66.2%) to 4,118 (33.8%).

Perry Township

In the closely watched race for Perry Township trustee, voters in the Democratic Party’s primary chose newly installed incumbent Leon Gordon over Levi Combs with 3,374 votes (60.8%) to 2,176 (39.2%). Gordon won the early-year party caucus to fill the vacancy left by the death of Dan Combs, who was Levi’s father.

In his remarks at Sleeper’s, Gordon said, “I love what I do. I love the work that I’ve been doing since I got here and serving.” He continued by acknowledging Combs, father and son: “I’d like to, of course, pay homage to the late Dan Combs and also his son running in his honor.” Gordon added, “I’d like to thank everyone who’s taken care and concern to show me the ropes or just make me feel part of this. And so I’m officially politically activated!”

Gordon will be working with a township board that is different from the current one. In the Democratic Party’s primary for Perry Township board, voters selected three nominees from a field of five candidates. Incumbent Barbara Sturbaum led the field with 4,033 votes (28.1%), followed by Jenny Olmes-Stevens with 3,425 (23.9%) and incumbent Susie Hamilton with 3,315 (23.1%). Olmes-Stevens was able to outpoint incumbent Jack Davis, who received 1,663 votes (11.6%) and challenger Jeremy Goodrich who received 1,918 votes (13.4%).