Wyenandt is a long-time Democratic Party and Lakota School District volunteer and activist.
“Our goal is to re-establish government for the average Ohioan and eliminate from office corrupt legislators who accept bribes in exchange for the passage of laws that line big corporations’ pockets and ignore the rights of citizens,” said Wyenandt. “We want to build a bigger tent with the Butler County Democratic Party and let voters know that Democratic candidates are ethical, experienced, and able to win the future for Butler County and Ohio.”
Wyenandt replaced former chair Brian Hester who stepped down to spend more time with his family.
They also chose to run Mike Dalesandro of Oxford against Reynolds in the November general election. Dave Spurrier won a place on the ballot after receiving 838 votes as a write-in candidate in the May primary election. He told the Journal-News he was basically a “placeholder” for Dalesandro.
The new candidate told the Journal-News he didn’t have much time to decide after he was approached about running for office, that’s why he wasn’t the write-in.
“It was a really short time frame to make that decision, it’s a big decision to make, it’s a big decision to run a campaign it effects the family and life,” Dalesandro said. “I thought about it, it was too big a decision and I wasn’t quite ready to jump in at that point.”
Board of Elections Deputy Director Eric Corbin said Dalesandro’s name will be on the ballot and the party had the right to name a replacement for Spurrier as long as they did it 86 days before the election.
The Democrats said they felt an “obligation” to run a candidate against Reynolds who was indicted on five counts of bribery and using his public office for personal gain while helping his dad with a development deal. He is scheduled for trial in August and faces up to seven years in prison on the three felony and two misdemeanor charges if found guilty. He has maintained his innocence and is committed to winning re-election.
Dalesandro, a supply chain professional, moved his family to Oxford a year ago from Battle Ground, Wash. where he served as mayor and city council member for eight years. Reynolds, a certified public accountant, has been in office since 2008. He took over after former county auditor Kay Rogers was indicted in the Dynus scandal that started 18 years ago. She, former Butler County Commissioner Michael Fox and others went to federal prison..
Dalesandro told the Journal-News he has plenty of government finance experience and ”the biggest qualification for me is I’m not indicted.”
“I think it’s just time for someone different to step up,” he said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had some issues around the auditor’s office even in the past. This position is the people’s position, it’s the taxpayers’ watchdog, it’s the chief fiscal officer for the county and I think in that position the most important qualification isn’t necessarily having that specific CPA initials behind your name, it’s being somebody who has a record of integrity.”
Reynolds told the Journal-News he fully expects to be re-elected in November.
“I think the citizens of Butler County have been served very well from my policies and the changes I’ve made in the Butler County auditor’s office,” Reynolds said. “I look forward to continuing four more years and results matter, the numbers and results and the technology have paid dividends, and I’m continuing to fight for property owners and trying to keep taxes low.”
Butler County has long been a Republican stronghold and Reynolds said he doesn’t think voters “have any interest in switching to big government, more spend, more giveaway, liberal policies.”
Republican Party Chair Todd Hall said the Democrats moves don’t impact his party.
“What the opposition party does is up to them. It doesn’t affect the Butler County Republican Party in any way,” Hall said. “The county has done sensationally well under Republican leadership; our officeholders work hard for the best of our county residents. Roger Reynolds is our Republican endorsed candidate for the position of auditor and thus has the full support of our Party.”
Democrat Latisha Hazell is running against GOP incumbent County Commissioner Cindy Carpenter. Hazell has been a human resources leader for more than 21 years, with experience in state and local government. She is deputy director and chief talent acquisition officer of human resources for the City of Cincinnati. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s time for change. The people of Butler County deserve better than the status quo,” said Hazell. “As commissioner I pledge to work to reestablish, reinvent, and reinvest in government that works for the people. I’ll ensure that county policies, services, and economic development are future-focused and centered around keeping everyday workers and their families first.”
She and her family have lived in West Chester for six years. She is conducting a “listening tour” throughout the county to learn about voter concerns at the county government level.
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