Interest is running high among local Democrats hoping to fill a vacant seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown, state Rep. Erica Crawley, Franklin County Clerk of Courts Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, Worthington School Board member Sam Shim and Gahanna-Jefferson School Board President Beryl Piccolantonio have announced their intentions to seek the appointment, with many others considering the race.
“I know (they) all won’t run, but I think the list was in the double digits last week,” said Michael Sexton, chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee.
Who are the leading Democrats seeking to replace Marilyn Brown as Franklin County commissioner?
Her last day will be Friday. I think family has to come first. My mom is 92 and in Cleveland, and I ve lost a year not seeing her, she said at the end of Tuesday s commissioners meeting. We don t have much time left. . I can t do the position the way I want to do it and the way I feel I need to do it and take care of my family.
With her departure, Commissioners John O’Grady and Kevin Boyce will appoint an interim replacement, likely naming someone in the coming days. By the end of June, the Franklin County Democratic Party’s Central Committee will appoint a permanent replacement to serve out Brown’s term.