Debbie Lieberman has been on the board since 2005.
Running against Lieberman are Bob Matthews, a Republican, and Greg West, a Democrat. The term for her commission seat would begin Jan. 3, 2021.
“I love serving our community. There is a lot more work to be done, and I want to continue to do that work,” Lieberman said. “I’m looking forward to an interesting primary.”
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Some of the issues Lieberman said she hopes to continue to work on, if re-elected, are infant mortality in the county, ex-offender re-entry and workforce development.
“We’ve been through a lot in 2019, and I’m hoping for more positives in 2020,” Lieberman said. “And I hope to continue to represent this community in 2021.”
Lieberman and West will face off in a March 17 primary.
West has been involved with local labor groups for more than 20 years. He said he is running to give working class people a seat at the table.
“I am someone who really represents the working class. I will fight to have everyone make a real living wage,” West said. “It doesn’t make sense to have more people than ever working multiple jobs when the economy is supposedly doing so good.”
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West has been to prison on a felony drug charge and is a recovering addict. He said he is eight years sober.
“I’m a living example of how people can change,” West said. “Anybody can turn their life around.”
The Montgomery County Board of Elections said having a felony conviction does not preclude someone from serving as an elected official in Ohio.
Matthews is a former Miami Twp. trustee. He also ran against Dodge for county commission in 2016.
“I’m still interested in helping the people of Montgomery County,” Matthews said. “I want to focus on strengthening families and faith through the county. A lot of problems we’re working to address right now are the symptoms of the breakdown of those things.”
Dodge will face Democratic challenger LaTohsha Rountree in the March primary.
“I love my community,” Dodge said. “I’ve worked hard here.”
Dodge was first elected to the Montgomery County commission in 2006.
Dodge said an issue she would continue to work on if re-elected is food insecurity and food access in the county. About 70,000 Montgomery County residents rely on SNAP benefits, Dodge said.
Dodge said she would continue to work on getting small grocery stands around the county, or replicating something like the Market at Wright Stop Plaza, located at 4 S. Main St.
“Our vulnerable population needs a voice, and I hope I can continue to be that voice for them,” Dodge said.
Rountree could not be reached for comment.
Norman Scearce and Arlene Setzer are both Republicans seeking Dodge’s seat. They will face each other in the primary.
Scearce is on the Trotwood-Madison Board of Education. He is also the founding pastor at Gateway Cathedral in Trotwood.
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“I think now is a good opportunity for some good change and freshness on the county commission,” Scearce said. “The commission has not had a significant leadership change in years. That perpetuates the same ideas over and over again.”
Scearce said he wanted to see commissioners working with people across the aisle.
Setzer is currently the mayor of Vandalia. She also previously served on Vandalia City Council and in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2008, representing Ohio’s 40th District. As her time as mayor wraps up, Setzer said she hopes to continue to use the expertise she’s gained in her public service.
“I am a good listener, I am a problem solver,” Setzer said. “And if you take a look at my track record as a public servant, I think you can see that.”
The winner’s term would begin Jan. 2, 2021.
The Montgomery County Board of Elections will certify candidates for the county commission race today at 8:30 a.m.
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