Democrat Dodge, Republican Baker win Montgomery County Commission primaries

Montgomery County candidates Judy Dodge, Kate Baker and Jennifer Petrella won their primary election races Tuesday night, according to final, unofficial voting results from the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

Dodge, an incumbent, received 76% of the vote in her race for the Democratic nomination to a Montgomery County commission seat. Challenger Youssef Elzein had 24%.

In the Republican primary for the same Montgomery County commission seat, Baker got 58.5% of the vote, while Jordan Wortham had 41.5%.

Baker and Dodge will square off in the November general election.

Petrella, meanwhile, won over Jacqueline Gaines in the Republican primary for a Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court judicial seat, receiving 69% of votes.

County Commission

Dodge, who was elected to her commission seat in 2006, said she would continue helping with efforts related to housing and economic development if elected to another term. She said the county used federal COVID-19 relief funds to work on affordable housing, food insecurity and job services.

The commissioner said she appreciates the confidence Montgomery County citizens have in her leadership.

Dodge’s opponent Elzein is a civil engineer who has worked as an Arab American activist.

Baker, a Huber Heights councilwoman, said she’s thankful to all the people who helped her during her campaign and for the Montgomery County voters who supported her.

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” she said. “I look forward to flipping the county Red.”

Baker, a self-declared fiscal conservative, cited her background in finance and healthcare, plus her city council experience as reasons voters should support her in the fall. Baker said that if elected, she would work to ensure the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has ample training and equipment.

Wortham, a former Dayton police officer, narrowly lost to Carolyn Rice in a 2022 county commission race.

In a separate county commission race, incumbent Democrat Debbie Lieberman and Republican challenger Mary McDonald, a former Trotwood mayor, both ran unopposed. They will both advance and will compete for Lieberman’s seat in the November election. McDonald’s candidacy was challenged earlier this year after the longtime Democrat switched party allegiance to run for the commission seat.

Domestic Relations Court judge

Petrella will run unopposed in the county’s Domestic Relations Court race in November. Petrella won 69% of the vote compared to Jacqueline Gaines 31%.

There are no candidates on the Democratic side.

Petrella, the Domestic Relations Court’s current administrator, said she’s thankful for the leadership and mentorship of Judge Denise Cross, who is leaving her seat due to term limits.

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