2024 Election Roundup: Greenfield votes to ‘abandon city manager plan;’ John Judkins unofficially elected judge; Bob Peterson reelected

Voters in the Village of Greenfield have unofficially approved a proposal to change the village’s form of government, returning to an elected mayor instead of an appointed city government, according to unofficial results from the Nov. 5 general election. The election also included Madison Township selecting a new County Court judge, with John Judkins unofficially winning the contested race.

Those on the ballot in Highland County did not find out the unofficial totals until early Wednesday morning. After releasing three different absentee reports, the Board of Elections reported technical difficulties had been going on for an hour at 11:30 p.m., with no in-person votes tallied.

The unofficial results were finally released Wednesday at 12:30 a.m. online, but as of 2:30 a.m., the board had not printed final reports for those waiting at the Hi-TEC building as the board continued counting ballots.

The county also saw high voter turnout, with an unofficial 71.3 percent of voters participating in this year’s election, on par with the 72.4-percent voter turnout in the last presidential election in 2020. That included 33.5-percent turnout via absentee voting, unofficially.

Issue 4, for the Village of Greenfield by petition, asked voters whether “the municipal corporation of Greenfield [shall] abandon the City Manager Plan and adopt the Federal Plan as provided in sections 705.71 to 705.86 of the Revised Code.” With 47.3-percent voter turnout in Greenfield, voters unofficially decided to abandon the city manager plan, with 638 yes votes (58.2 percent) and 458 no votes, unofficially.

On May 8, 2007, Greenfield voters approved organizing the village under a new city manager form of government as provided in Ohio Revised Code 705.41-705.86. Currently, village council members are selected, and council hires the city manager.    

According to the ORC, under the “Federal Plan, “In municipal corporations adopting such plan, the only elective officers shall be the mayor and members of council.”

Former longtime city manager Todd Wilkin resigned, effective Oct. 15, citing “new opportunities.” Greenfield’s council then appointed engineer Gary Silcott of Logan as his replacement as interim city manager.

According to Highland County Board of Elections Director Michelle Swallen, “The new system will take effect following the next regular municipal election in November 2025. The office of mayor [will] appear on the ballot, with the highest vote-getter assuming office on the first day of January 2026. The elected Mayor shall appoint a director of public service, a director of public safety, treasurer and solicitor.”

Also for Greenfield voters, the first new County Court judge in four decades was elected, but the last name will remain the same. Greenfield attorney John Judkins unofficially defeated Highland County assistant prosecutor James Roeder for the seat held by Judge Robert J. Judkins since 1983 by an unofficial margin of 1,171-1,061.

“It is an incredible honor to make this statement as the newly elected Judge of Highland County Court and to begin to serve the citizens of Greenfield and Madison Township,” John Judkins told The Highland County Press. “I want to thank my family, particularly my wife Danielle and my children Jack and Claire, along with everyone who helped in my campaign. Without you, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in. You have sacrificed time, and you’ve put up with a lot to allow me to be where I am tonight.

“Throughout this campaign, I had the privilege of meeting so many folks in and around town and hearing about their hopes and concerns for our community. Their voices have inspired me, and I am committed to ensuring that the court reflects your values: fairness, integrity and respect for everyone who comes before it.”

According to his campaign site, John Judkins — the son of current Judge Judkins — “has extensive experience in felony and misdemeanor criminal work throughout his 15-year law career,” including as an assistant prosecutor in Chillicothe Municipal Court as an assistant law director since 2021. He has a law office in Greenfield, where he has worked since 2009, and “has handled civil litigation in the Federal United States District Court, the Ohio Supreme Court and various other courts throughout Ohio,” his campaign site says.  

“I also want to take a moment to thank my opponent, Jim Roeder, for running a campaign rooted in respect and dedication to the citizens of this county,” Judkins said. “Jim and I have known one another for years, and I have great respect for the work he has done as prosecutor, and I’m grateful for his contribution to our community.

“As your new judge, I pledge to serve with the utmost fairness and integrity. I will listen to every case with an open mind and make decisions based on the law and the facts. The people of Greenfield and Madison Township deserve a court system that treats everyone equally and with dignity, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that happens.

“Thank you again for your trust and support,” Judkins continued. “I am excited to begin this new chapter, and I look forward to working with our community, law enforcement and legal professionals to ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably for all.”

In another area contested race, incumbent 91st Ohio House District Representative Bob Peterson, a Republican, unofficially defeated Democratic candidate Ellen Yvette Clark, a nurse, to retain his seat.

The 91st House District includes all of Fayette, Highland and Pike counties and western Ross County. Unofficial vote totals show Peterson sweeping all four counties, including receiving 80.9 percent of the vote in his home county of Fayette, as well as 82.5 percent in Highland, 78.1 percent in Ross and 74.9 percent in Pike, unofficially.

This will be the second consecutive term for Peterson in the 91st House District, as he previously was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 before joining the Ohio Senate in 2012. Peterson is also a farmer, business owner and former Fayette County commissioner.

In other local races, Randy Sanders, who was appointed Highland County Sheriff after former Sheriff Donnie Barrera retired, was officially elected to his first term in office with 15,475 unofficial votes. Sanders previously defeated Brandon Stratton in the 2024 primary and was unopposed this November.

Incumbents reelected for their respective offices, with no opposition, include:

• County Commissioners Terry Britton (term commencing Jan. 3);

• County Commissioner David Daniels (term commencing Jan. 2);

• Prosecutor Anneka Collins;

• Clerk of Common Pleas Court Dwight “Ike” Hodson;

• Recorder Chad McConnaughey;

• Engineer Chris Fauber;

• Coroner Jeff Beery; and

• Treasurer Vickie Warnock.

For another local election roundup, see the story at: https://highlandcountypress.com/news/2024-election-roundup-countywide-l….

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