by Aaron Gibson, March 16, 2016
Brown County voters nominated candidate Gordon Ellis as their Republican choice for Sheriff by a close margin in the March 15 primary election.
According to Ohio Board of Elections statistics, Gordon Ellis was nominated as the Republican party choice for Sheriff with approximately 3,034 votes, seconded by David Benjamin who fell short with 2,355 votes.
Ellis will be without opposition on the November 2016 general election ballot, as Democrats did not nominate a candidate, and there were no independent candidates to successfully reach the March 14 deadline of filing nomination petitions.
Currently Lake Waynoka Police Chief, Ellis vows he will offer Brown County a Sheriff’s office that is professional, cooperative and citizen-centered. Among his key platform issues, Ellis says he will try to minimize the county’s high drug abuse rates by focusing on high drug traffic areas in collaboration with village agencies and the Brown County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force. Ellis says he also plans to curtail the heroin epidemic by utilizing drug education programs to steer youth away from trying drugs.
At a Feb. 26 candidate forum hosted by the Brown County Press and News Democrat, when asked to close on why he should be the next Sheriff, Ellis reponded, “I have spent my entire adult career serving the public, and if you would favor me with your vote, my commitment to each and every one of you is: I will do you proud.”
Originally from Williamsburg, Ellis served as Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff, patrol officer and Sergeant for Lebanon Police Department, and Chief of Police for the Heath Police Department near Columbus, before returning to Brown County to serve as Police Chief for the community of Lake Waynoka. Ellis’ career in law enforcement spans over thirty years.
“I am grateful and humbled to be elected tonight as the Republican nominee for Sheriff. I want to thank God for blessing our campaign. I want to thank the voters of Brown County for all their support. Without you this would not be possible. Also, I want to thank my many supporters and my team for their hard work. Lastly, I want to thank my opposing candidates. It was truly a privilege to run with them – they are all fine men. I look forward to working for the citizens of Brown County,” Ellis wrote in a Facebook post following the announcement of his nomination.
The term for the next Brown County Sheriff begins January 2, 2017.
—Brown County Crime Reporter, March 16, 2016 12:48 AM EST
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