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Treasurer bows out of commission race

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 7:47 PM Saturday, January 30, 2010

HAMILTON — Butler County’s treasurer and front-runner in a contentious county commission race this year has backed out of her bid for the seat.

Treasurer Nancy Nix made the announcement in a letter dated Jan. 28 sent to Butler County Republican Party central and executive committee members. She said she plans to remain treasurer.

“In the capacity of treasurer, amidst such unpredictable economic times, I can continue to bring stability and professionalism to Butler County,” Nix wrote. “We need fiscal conservatism in county leadership, with a return to our traditional Republican philosophy: small government, less spending and strong reserves.”

Nix received the most votes from party leaders at an endorsement meeting in November, beating out incumbent Republican Commission President Gregory Jolivette.

But she did not win the endorsement, which is what she had hoped for in order to run in the May primary, she said in an interview Saturday, Jan. 30.

It remains a crowded contest. Six people are still seeking Republican support for the seat, including the county clerk of courts and a former West Chester Twp. Trustee — both of whom were also closer than Jolivette to getting the party’s endorsement.

Jolivette faces an uphill re-election battle while he remains under investigation by the Ohio Ethics Commission for voting on the hiring of his son and daughter in 2004 and 2005 as county employees.

Democrat Lester “Butch” Hubble, a retired police officer who has run before, has also filed petitions for the seat. And Hamilton attorney Mark Hardig has pulled petitions for that party’s primary.

Nix wouldn’t rule out making another run in the future, and said she isn’t endorsing any of the remaining candidates. “I just look forward to the voters sorting it out,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

Nancy Nix

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