Republican voters in Defiance County chose Erin Strausbaugh as their candidate for juvenile/probate judge on Tuesday while a new developmental disabilities levy passed comfortably.
Strausbaugh was the winner in her quest to succeed her father, Jeff, who has reached retirement age and will step down as judge when his term expires at year’s end.
A magistrate in Williams County, Strausbaugh outpolled Joy O’Donnell, a county assistant prosecutor, with 55.6% support. The unofficial count Tuesday night was Strausbaugh, 2,325; O’Donnell 1,855 votes.
“I’m pleased with the results of today’s election and am grateful for the support and confidence the voters have shown,” she stated in an email to The Crescent-News. “I appreciate everyone who has supported my campaign along the way, and I look forward to continuing my campaign to serve as judge of the probate and juvenile court.”
Strausbaugh will go on to face Defiance attorney Tim Holtsberry, a Democrat, in the November general election with a six-year term beginning in 2027 at stake. Holtsberry received 1,438 votes Tuesday in his unopposed race.
No independents filed as the deadline for them to do so passed at 4 p.m. Monday. (Write-ins have until Aug. 24.)
Meanwhile, Defiance County voters said OK to the Developmental Disabilities agency’s request for a 2-mill, five-year property tax increase for programs and services.
Some 53.8% of voters approved the levy that is expected to generate approximately $2.75 million annually for DD, which also operates Good Samaritan School in Defiance.
Voter turnout in Defiance County was 23.9%.
Unofficial Defiance County results:
• county juvenile/probate judge: Republican primary, Erin Strausbaugh, 2,325; Joy O’Donnell, 1,855.
• county juvenile/probate judge: Democratic primary, Tim Holtsberry, 1,438.
• county common pleas judge: Republican primary, Carson Slade, 3,559.
• county auditor: Republican primary, Vickie Myers, 3,684.
• county auditor: Democratic primary, John Hancock, 1,444.
• county commissioner: Republican primary, Dana Phipps (incumbent), 3,594.
• county commissioner: Democratic primary, Joe Eureste, 1,450.
• county commissioner unexpired term: Republican primary, Matthew Koester (appointed incumbent), 3,542.
• county commissioner unexpired term: Democratic primary, Mike Armstrong, 1,427.
• Defiance County: an additional 2-mill, continuing (permanent) for the Board of Developmental Disabilities: yes, 3,264; no, 2,799.
• Republican Party Central Committee seat winners (all unopposed): Stephen Corbitt, 1-E; Douglas McDonald, 1-H; Christopher Mack, 2-A; Kristine Hendricks, 2-D; Michael McCann, 3-B; Tom Weaver, 3-D; Douglas Engel, 4-C; Barbara Fitzenrider, 4-D; Stanley Strausbaugh, Defiance Township A; Diane Zeigler, Defiance Township B; Jeff Timbrook, Farmer Township; Michael Coplin, Hicksville Township; Dana Phipps, Highland Township A; Larry Brown, Highland Township B; Tommy Vance, Ney Village; Jill Little, Noble Township A; Ted Penner, Noble Township B; Ian Weber, Tiffin Township; and Dan Crites, Washington Township.