Independent takes out petitions in race for county commissioner
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
A Hillsboro man has taken out petitions as an Independent to run for Highland County commissioner.
Joel Tucker took out petitions this week to run against incumbent Republican Tom Host.
As an Independent, Tucker does not have to file his petitions until March 5, the day before the primary election.
In addition to Tucker, Horst will face the winner of the Democratic primary race between Josh Patton and Randy Mustard. Horst had faced competition from fellow Republican Terry Mikkelsen, but Mikkelsen withdrew his candidacy last week for "personal reasons."
Tucker told The Highland County Press on Wednesday that he ran "under the radar" as a write-in candidate for Hillsboro mayor against Drew Hastings and John Levo.
"This will be my first official run," Tucker said.
Tucker is originally from the Loveland area, and moved to Hillsboro approximately 20 years ago. He moved away for a time, but has now lived in the area for approximately 14 years. He resides on the south side of Hillsboro with his wife, Becky. He had worked at PC Connection and ABX Air, and now stays at home to raise his four children.
Tucker said his biggest concern is for the youth of Highland County. He said that they need more activities for them in Hillsboro, and throughout the county, and jobs after they graduate from high school. During his campaign for mayor, Tucker said that he spoke with seniors at Hillsboro High School to ask them what they wanted, and what it would take to keep them in the county.
"They were so excited to have someone who wanted to listen to them, and they were so upset that the other candidates didn't show up," Tucker said.
In his run for county commissioner, Tucker said that he will be visiting each of the five county high schools to discuss the future with area seniors.
Work as a Highland County commissioner, Tucker said, will be an extension of the informal economic development he has already been engaged in. Tucker said that he has been in talks with major corporations to small businesses in the Cincinnati area, to move their operations to Highland County.
"They say, 'That sounds nice, you sound genuine, and you really sound concerned for your community,' but they say it would carry more weight if I was approaching them as a mayor or a county commissioner,'" Tucker said.
"What makes me different is that I will listen," Tucker said. "I believe in listening to the people's voices. I don't believe in just sitting behind a desk. The people are entrusting us to protect them and provide for them with every opportunity, and to maximize their living standards."
A Hillsboro man has taken out petitions as an Independent to run for Highland County commissioner.
Joel Tucker took out petitions this week to run against incumbent Republican Tom Host.
As an Independent, Tucker does not have to file his petitions until March 5, the day before the primary election.
In addition to Tucker, Horst will face the winner of the Democratic primary race between Josh Patton and Randy Mustard. Horst had faced competition from fellow Republican Terry Mikkelsen, but Mikkelsen withdrew his candidacy last week for "personal reasons."
Tucker told The Highland County Press on Wednesday that he ran "under the radar" as a write-in candidate for Hillsboro mayor against Drew Hastings and John Levo.
"This will be my first official run," Tucker said.
Tucker is originally from the Loveland area, and moved to Hillsboro approximately 20 years ago. He moved away for a time, but has now lived in the area for approximately 14 years. He resides on the south side of Hillsboro with his wife, Becky. He had worked at PC Connection and ABX Air, and now stays at home to raise his four children.
Tucker said his biggest concern is for the youth of Highland County. He said that they need more activities for them in Hillsboro, and throughout the county, and jobs after they graduate from high school. During his campaign for mayor, Tucker said that he spoke with seniors at Hillsboro High School to ask them what they wanted, and what it would take to keep them in the county.
"They were so excited to have someone who wanted to listen to them, and they were so upset that the other candidates didn't show up," Tucker said.
In his run for county commissioner, Tucker said that he will be visiting each of the five county high schools to discuss the future with area seniors.
Work as a Highland County commissioner, Tucker said, will be an extension of the informal economic development he has already been engaged in. Tucker said that he has been in talks with major corporations to small businesses in the Cincinnati area, to move their operations to Highland County.
"They say, 'That sounds nice, you sound genuine, and you really sound concerned for your community,' but they say it would carry more weight if I was approaching them as a mayor or a county commissioner,'" Tucker said.
"What makes me different is that I will listen," Tucker said. "I believe in listening to the people's voices. I don't believe in just sitting behind a desk. The people are entrusting us to protect them and provide for them with every opportunity, and to maximize their living standards."
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