Instead of choosing new leaders, Dayton voters decided to return Commissioners Shaw and Joseph to office to serve their third and sixth terms, respectively.
Joseph was the top vote-getter for his third consecutive election, winning 33.3% of the vote, while Shaw got about 30.7% of the vote.
Duncan received 22.6% of the vote, while Bedinger earned 13.4%, according to unofficial results.
Joseph on Tuesday night said he thinks his victory shows that residents see that conditions and life in Dayton are slowly improving.
“Things are not perfect — there’s a lot more to do, but they are slowly getting better,” he said. “I am really proud of that and I’m really happy that the residents saw that and returned us to office.”
Joseph said he had a lot more to talk about on the campaign trail this go-around than during previous election cycles because the city has made so much progress.
“We’re expanding and growing and there are a lot more possibilities out there,” he said. “It’s been easier to run in these last few months than in earlier races.”
Shaw on Tuesday night said he thinks community members can see Dayton’s on the right path and he’s someone who can help turn the trajectory of the city around.
“I think (voters) want experienced leadership that is interested in making a difference and maybe not so much a show,” he said. “I think they want that kind of leadership, that’s just about putting the head down and doing the hard work.”
Shaw said he’s ready for a complete reset to improve communication between members of the commission, who occasionally clash.
He said the city has important work ahead, and he’s confident that commission can come together to make decisions that improve life for the people of Dayton.
Bedinger and Duncan were critical of the incumbents and said that defeating them would change the balance of power on the city commission.
Bedinger and Duncan said the incumbents had the wrong priorities and made a series of bad decisions that did not reflect the wishes of the community.
Dayton commissioners serve four-year terms and earn a salary of about $53,975. They also receive health insurance and a car and cell phone allowance.
Dayton school board
Dayton Public Schools incumbent Will Smith, along with newcomers William Bailey and Eric Walker, won the race for the Dayton Public Schools board of education race Tuesday night, according to final, unofficial results from the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Smith and Bailey each got about 26% of the vote, while Walker received about 25% of the vote.
The fourth person running for election, Ken Hayes, a Central State University professor and parent of two DPS kids, had received roughly 23% of the vote.
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