K.K. Tool Co. Vice President Kyle Koehler outspent Democratic incumbent David Hartley nearly 6 to 1 but came up 255 votes short.
Republican incumbent John Detrick won the second seat, handily defeating former Clark County Common Pleas Court Judge Doug Geyer 34,147 to 27,221. Detrick outspent Geyer by more than 3 to 1.
“I’m overwhelmed by the folks that supported me not only vocally but financially,” Koehler said Tuesday. “But it’s very difficult to run against someone who has been in office almost 40 years … I came up short.”
Koehler spent $30,009 on his campaign, compared to Hartley, who spent $5,468, according to campaign finance reports filed through December.
Koehler led the race by 205 votes on Election Day, but after thousands of provisional votes were counted and after an automatic recount, Hartley won the seat 30,500 to 30,245, according to the Clark County Board of Elections.
Hartley, who received $6,825 in monetary contributions and in-kind contributions valued at $95.54, said the outcome of the race proved his accomplishments as a commissioner carried weight with voters.
“It wasn’t about fundraising or spending. The people of Clark County know me and know what I stand for. I believe personally that my constituents come before me, and I do what I have to, to look out for them,” Hartley said.
Koehler’s campaign received monetary contributions totalling more than $30,140 and received in-kind contributions valued at more than $7,600.
He said he received support from people who felt he ad a positive attitude and business savvy.
Detrick received monetary contributions totalling more than $36,000 and spent more than $33,300, topping all county commission candidates. He also received in-kind contributions valued at more than $10,800.
Geyer, a Democrat, received more than $10,900 in contributions and spent more than $10,200. He also received in-kind contributions valued at more than $6,000.
He could not be reached for comment. However, after campaign finance reports were released in October, Geyer said Republicans are the party of money, but campaign spending would decide the election.
“I hope you can’t buy an election … Hopefully, the public can distinguish between spending a lot of money and being qualified,” Geyer said.
Both Koehler and Detrick expressed pride in the support they received from the community and were adamant that candidates cannot buy votes.
Detrick said he’s had three contested races since becoming a commissioner in 15 years ago, but raised the most in the 2012 campaign against Geyer.
He said he was driven to get re-elected to remain an advocate for Clark County and by Geyer’s repeated negative comments about his support of an agreement to lease the county agricultural building to a company that has plans bring in at least 25 jobs to the area.
“He was very misinformed on the statements he was making. I believed in my position, and I felt I had to make a strong stand and defend my position financially,” Detrick said.
About the Author