2 compete in GOP primary for Tuscarawas County commissioner
DOVER (WJER) (April 29, 2022) – Voters have two candidates to choose from in the GOP primary Tuesday for the Tuscarawas County commissioner’s seat currently occupied by Al Landis.
Sally Storad of Bolivar and Kristin Zemis of New Philadelphia are competing to keep the position in Republican hands.
Storad is a project manager and serves on the Lawrence Township Zoning Commission.
Storad says she wants to give back to Tuscarawas County.
“Working at the local level as a county commissioner would provide an opportunity to help address people’s immediate problems and look for common-sense solutions,” said Storad.
Storad says she wants to focus on some of the concerns and topics she has heard from township trustees and others such as fire and EMS services, road paving, and homeless.
“I plan to communicate and coordinate with each county department to meet challenges and implement practical solutions,” Storad said.
Zemis, an attorney and volunteer with the United Way of Tuscarawas County and other boards says she decided to run to fill the void after learning that both Landis and Tuscarawas County Commissioner Kerry Metzger wouldn’t be running for re-election this year.
“I’m very, very interested and have a desire to build a great future for our county, and I have a genuine interest in civic responsibility,” Zemis said.
Zemis says she feels the commissioners’ office could be doing a little more to communicate with the public, particularly online and through social media, and that is something she would like to improve.
“So that residents have an opportunity to not only see what we’re doing but also to comment on that and have some input into the direction that the county commissioners board is going to move in,” Zemis said.
The winner between Storad and Zemis will advance to November’s general election to face Laurie Green of Mineral City, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Landis, a former state representative, opted to run for Ohio Senate this year rather than seek a second term as county commissioner.