Election 2024: Geauga County voters will decide two GOP commissioner primary races

Mar. 8—Four Republican candidates are vying for their party's nomination for two Geauga County commissioner seats in the March 19 primary.

Nancy McArthur is challenging incumbent Ralph Spidalieri in one race, while Carolyn Brakey is facing off against Walter "Skip" Claypool in another.

The victors in each contest will earn the right to face Democrat challengers in the Nov. 5 General Election.

Either McArthur or Spidalieri will run in November against Democrat write-in candidate Bonnie H. Cavanaugh.

Brakey and Claypool are vying for the chance to square off in November against Democrat write-in Garrett Westhoven. Whoever emerges victorious in that November race will succeed incumbent Commissioner Tim Lennon, who decided not to seek re-election to a third term.

The winners of each November race will secure a four-year term as commissioner that begins Jan. 1 and pays an annual salary of $86,988, according to the Geauga County Auditor's Office.

As of March 7, there are 68,030 registered voters eligible to decide the March 19 primary commissioner races, according to the Geauga County Elections Board.

First, here are some of the answers that McArthur and Spidalieri provided in questionnaires sent to them by The News-Herald:

Nancy McArthur

If elected, McArthur said she promises to make the commissioner's job her primary focus and "give it the utmost attention and time that the voters deserve and expect."

"I will put Geauga first by regularly attending the weekly meetings, showing up for other board and committee appointments, and earning the $87,000 annual salary — not including medical and pension benefits — that comes with this job," she said.

McArthur said she'll strive to ensure that the county has a fiscally responsible budget "that provides residents and businesses in Geauga with quality public services at the lowest possible cost."

In addition, McArthur said she wants commissioners to be more transparent about how they conduct business and spend taxpayers' money.

She will request that commissioners live-stream and record their weekly meetings to make the panel's activities and actions "more accessible and accountable to the public."

McArthur said voters should support her because she has a history of showing up for public service and getting things done.

"I am a results-oriented person and once I make my mind up to do something, I will see it through to the end," she said.

Ralph Spidalieri

If re-elected to a fourth four-year term, Spidalieri said his priorities will be:

—Safety

—Economic stability

—Continued services for seniors, veterans and taxpayers

Spidalieri said voters should support him because of his commitment to the residents of Geauga County.

"I never failed my constituents in 12 years, and will not for the next four," he said.

Here are some of the answers that Brakey and Claypool provided in questionnaires sent to them by The News-Herald:

Carolyn Brakey

If elected, Brakey said her top priorities would be to:

—Defend freedoms: "Government should safeguard life, liberty, and property," she said. "I will support law enforcement and push back on bureaucrats who try to restrict our freedoms."

—Protect paychecks: "Government exists to serve the people — not the other way around," she said. "In this time of record inflation, I will fight to decrease taxes so residents can keep more of their hard-earned dollars."

—Defeat dysfunction: Various legal problems in Geauga County government have hindered progress, with some county officials not even on speaking terms, she noted.

"Geauga County needs problem-solvers, not problem-makers," she said.

Brakey said voters should support her because she possesses a proven track record of conservative accomplishments, which showcases her ability to deliver results.

For example, Brakey cited what she achieved after being appointed to the Geauga County Health Board.

"Immediately, I rolled up my sleeves and fought to put an end to (COVID-19) mask mandates in Geauga County schools, leading all of Ohio," she said. "I've also worked collaboratively with fellow board members to cut regulations and streamline bureaucracy to deliver significant savings to taxpayers."

Walter 'Skip' Claypool

If elected, Claypool said he would diligently "provide active oversight on spending of money, delivering services and ensuring the various government offices have the resources they need while performing in a responsible manner."

Claypool also said he wants to mitigate the impact of certain external activities that will adversely affect Geauga County's sovereignty.

"The Senate Select Committee on Fair Housing, the Health Department agreement and the NOACA climate change initiative are just three examples," he said.

Claypool also said he plans to closely monitor the project which will remodel and expand the Geauga County Courthouse. He described the endeavor as "a very large and complicated project that could easily get out of control, budgetarily."

"I would like to keep that project on track and within the established budget goals," he said.

Claypool said he believes voters should support him because of his accomplishments during a previous stretch as county commissioner.

"While I was a commissioner, we paid off long-term debt, did not raise taxes, maintained a sound budget and we made a number of changes that improved county business," he said.