In person voting hours: 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

The Ironton Tribune sent questionnaires to the six candidates appearing in competitive races on Tuesday’s primary ballot. The following are responses we received:
(…) denotes candidate answer exceeded word limit

Lawrence County Recorder

Barry Blankenship

• Party: Republican

• Age: 45

• Residence: Ironton

• Professional background: My professional experience is over 20 years of management and supervisory roles, along with several years of education and skilled training. I am also a business owner with experience of staffing, bank deposits and budgeting. (…)

• Occupation: Business owner

• Political experience: Elected as Perry Township trustee for five terms.

• Civic involvement: With a background in volunteering for various non-profit organizations, I have developed the importance of my civic duty. My dedication to the community started early on with the Special Olympics to coaching several youth sports. (…)

• What will your top priority be if elected to office? My mission would be to provide access to public records in the most accurate and responsible manner, in accordance to the statutory requirements. It will be a top priority to stay educated and aware of the ever-changing technology (…).

• If elected, you would be the first new county recorder in two decades, with the retirement of Sharon Gossett Hager from the office. What changes will you bring to the office, and what things would you like to see continue?  As to my knowledge the recorder’s office is running very efficient with a dedicated staff. So improving it would be a challenge. If elected, it will be the utmost importance that the office continues to work together as a team and ensure the community is being well served. I understand the importance of customer-service and our citizens are the customers. (…)

• What would you do to reduce partisanship and ensure cooperation in local politics? If you engage RESPECTFULLY with one side or the other, you will not see a massive difference. The common identity is “we are all Americans.” I work for the people and I will help meet the needs of all citizens and not force my views on others.

• Other comments: If elected, I promise to be a faithful steward of taxpayer dollars. I am very dedicated to serve my community with kindness and understanding. I would love the opportunity to prove I am a responsible candidate to fulfill the role (…).

Lori Morris
• Party: Republican
• Age: 55
• Residence: Kitts Hill
• Professional background: 20-plus years of banking, specializing in documents that are recorded in the recorder’s office, 13 years of experience maintaining the finances of Lawrence County EMS, 20 years as Lawrence Township fiscal officer.
• Occupation: Executive director of finance for Lawrence County EMS and Lawrence Township Fiscal officer. Both of these positions have given me valuable insights on local and county government.
• Political Experience: I have worked in both township and county government.
• Civic Involvement: Current secretary of Ohio EMS Chiefs Association, Lawrence County Extension Advisory Committee, Lawrence County Trustees and Fiscal Officers Association, former 4-H advisor, Lawrence County Emergency Planning Committee.
• What will your top priority be if elected to office? To ensure all records will be recorded correctly and in a timely manner. I will also make sure myself and all of my employees are transparent with all individuals and entities seeking assistance from our office.
• If elected, you would be the first new county recorder in two decades, with the retirement of Sharon Gossett Hager from the office. What changes will you bring to the office, and what things would you like to see continue?
When elected Lawrence County Recorder, I will strive to make this office one of the most up-to-date offices in the State of Ohio. I will continue to use the strategies and ideas that are in place that have been an essential part of the daily operations.
• What would you do to reduce partisanship and ensure cooperation in local politics?
I will work with all citizens, business, and county departments to do what is needed in the best interest of Lawrence County. I will strive to make the decisions necessary, as well as abide by the law, to consistently make Lawrence County prosper.
• Other comments: With my qualifications, background, and impact I have made, and will continue to make, on our great county I ask for your vote to be the next Lawrence County Recorder.

Lawrence County Commission – Republican nomination

Colton Copley
• Party: Republican
• Age: 40
• Residence: South Point
• Professional background: Bachelor’s Degree from Marshall University and received Doctorate Degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Occupation: Lawrence County commissioner and emergency room physician at Cabell Huntington Hospital
• Political experience: Lawrence County Commissioner for the past five years. Previously served as president of the school board at South Point Local School District
• Civic involvement: I am active in my local church, Christ Temple. I have been on several overseas mission trips over the past few years to both Africa and Israel. I also have been involved in youth sports coaching youth soccer, softball, basketball (…)
• What will your top priority be if elected to office?
I want to continue to work towards continuing to bring high paying jobs and industry to our area. I believe the key to our success is bringing career jobs to the county that in turn will further increase our average household income allowing our citizens to provide a better life for themselves and their families. (…)
• What would you do to resolve the funding issue to build a new county jail?
The funding for the jail is an issue that will take a yearly increase to the general fund. There are not enough cuts that can be made to the budgets to provide this the increase needed to cover the cost of the jail operation increase that comes with new jail standards. (…)
• What would you do to increase grants and funds available for projects in Lawrence County?
Over the past several years, we have seen some of the largest amounts of grants awarded to Lawrence County in our history. We are seeing projects such as the Chesapeake Bypass receive funding that many thought would never come. I attribute the funding received to the close relationships we have built with state leadership. (…)
• What would you do to reduce partisanship and ensure cooperation in local politics?
I have always been someone willing to work with individuals no matter what party they serve. I am a proud Republican, but I understand that there are individuals who are in the opposite party or no party affiliation at all, who also love Lawrence County and want the best for it. (…)
• Other comments: Over the past 5 years I have been successful in leading as one of your county commissioners. We have a good team currently working to make the lives of each of our citizens better. (…)

Hunter Tolliver
• Party: Republican
• Age: 24
• Residence: Proctorville
• Professional background: Vice president of operations at Martin Steel, Inc., owner at Southern Ohio Speed, LLC., owner at Paintball Lab, LLC.
• Occupation: Vice president of operations at Martin Steel, Inc. / business owner.
• Political experience: I bring a fresh perspective to serving our community being a first-time candidate. My business background and my dedication to understanding our constituents positions me to effectively represent Lawrence County.
• Civic involvement: Voted in every election since I was 18, community engagement through Freemasonry, volunteer at senior citizen functions, donated multi-sports complex space to church groups throughout Lawrence County.
• What will your top priority be if elected to office?
My top priorities while in office are to address the jail issue, end the growing drug epidemic, create exponential economic growth, repair, upgrade and implement infrastructure, support small businesses, support our farmers and make Lawrence County a safe place to live for you and your family.
• What would you do to resolve the funding issue to build a new county jail?
There has been funding from the state several times in the past. I will fight and resolve the internal issues within our county administration to access these funds to construct a new jail. All while pushing state representatives to provide more funding to grow, build and expand Lawrence County.
• What would you do to increase grants and funds available for projects in Lawrence County?
I would show the positive economic growth pattern Lawrence County is on to the proper state officials. With economic growth comes increased funding for major projects throughout the county. We’ll show we need more infrastructure, entertainment, and space to accommodate for the exponential growth.
• What would you do to reduce partisanship and ensure cooperation in local politics?
Transparency and honesty. Politics on a local and national level are too divided and we need to remind ourselves that we are all American. We need leaders that bring the community together by actually listening to the citizens and their issues. When a community is whole, it is strong.

Randy Wise
• Party: Republican
• Age: 61
• Residence: Coal Grove
• Professional Background: Small business owner and operator for over 40 years
• Occupation: Owner and operator, Randy’s Salvage
• Political Experience: Upper Township trustee (2017-current); Coal Grove Village Council member (2000-2015)
• Civic Involvement: Current Woodland Cemetery Trustee Board member; Coal Grove; Little League coach 10-plus years; current Republican Party Central Committee member.
• What will your top priority be if elected to office?
Stop the recent flood of unnecessary spending by the county; finally resolve the jail crisis that costs county taxpayers over $2 million annually, sending our tax dollars to other counties; find solutions for Union-Rome Sewer District customers that will bear the burden of the regrettable decision to sell to Aqua.
• What would you do to resolve the funding issue to build a new county jail?
Unfortunately, the county missed its best chance to solve this never-ending issue when my opponent Dr. Copley’s decisions resulted in the county losing $17 million in state grant funding. We must start over and find solutions like Gallia County with their recent jail construction using state funds. This is my priority. (…)
• What would you do to increase grants and funds available for projects in Lawrence County?
Primarily, not behave in a way that costs the county $17 million in state grant dollars due to inaction and incompetence. We must show reasonableness and will to work with our grant funding sources. I will be diligent and present to show grant funding sources Lawrence County wants to move forward.
• What would you do to reduce partisanship and ensure cooperation in local politics?
When representing a group of people with different political views, it is vital to keep in mind you’re serving the PEOPLE as a whole. I have a strong record of finding bipartisan solutions in my community, as well.
• Other comments: I am running to end the unacceptable level of wasteful spending providing no direct benefit to everyday people of Lawrence County. Our tax dollars will be utilized for Lawrence County’s working families!