ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — With Democratic candidate Autumn Brown’s victory over Republican competitor Sarah Smith in Tuesday’s general election, the Athens County Democratic Party will maintain full control over the Athens County Board of Commissioners.
Speaking from The Mine Tavern, Brown told the Independent on Tuesday night that she was “super excited” to announce her win.
“I’m grateful that the Athens County community took the time to get to know me,” Brown said. “I’m ready to get to work.”
Brown secured 12,976 votes compared to Smith’s 7,087, according to unofficial election night results from the Athens County Board of Elections.
Smith, the Republican candidate, told the Independent she was disappointed by her loss Tuesday night.
“I knew it was an uphill battle from the start as this is a heavily Democratic county,” Smith said. “I think the people of Athens County deserve better than they’ve been getting, and I hope Brown can do that.”
Smith congratulated Brown on her win.
Brown will replace outgoing commissioner Lenny Eliason, who has served on the board since his appointment in 1998. Brown positioned herself as a candidate who could continue building on Eliason’s work on the commission, while bringing new ideas to the table.
In their campaigns, both candidates emphasized a need for more transparency in county government. Smith’s campaign emphasized economic development, while Brown’s emphasized strategic planning.
Brown will come to the board of commissioners with 30 years at the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities. During her time there, she has managed county-operated budgets and served on various county-wide teams, experiences she said in her campaign would prepare her to serve on the county commission.
