ATHENS, Ohio – Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins officially has an opponent in the November general election.
On Wednesday, the Athens County Board of Elections certified a petition from Jon Rose to be added to the November ballot. Rose collected 308 signatures, 209 of which BOE staff validated. Only 191 valid signatures were required to be certified.
Rose is challenging Adkins, a Democrat who was first elected in 2012, for a four-year term beginning on Jan. 2, 2025.
Rose is a paramedic, barista and local business owner. Although he has no political experience, he said he is running based on his experiences as a public employee. He has publicly criticized the pay and conditions of working at Athens County Emergency Medical Services — specifically regarding overtime due to “understaffing” — and low wages.
“I’m running because things need to change,” Rose said. “We need to do something just for the regular people in the county … There’s some revitalization out there, yes, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done just to help people to afford to live in the county.”
Rose cited improvements in “jobs, transportation” as areas that could enhance quality of life in Athens County.
On being an independent candidate, Rose said: “There’s a lot of power struggle at play and I don’t have ego, I’m not braggadocious; I’m just trying to help people make it a little bit easier because Athens County is great, but our taxes are outrageous.”
Deputy Director Tony Brooks said he had received a call from a “law firm” prior to the BOE meeting, indicating that someone plans to protest Rose’s petition. The Independent is currently pursuing more information through a public records request.
Earlier this year, Chauncey Mayor Amy Renner had wanted to run against Adkins, but her petition was denied because of an error. The denial was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court.
“I’m thrilled to hear that Athens County will have options on their ballot this November, it’s so critical to the preservation of Democracy,” Renner told the Independent in an email. “I really encourage voters to do their research and consider voting outside of their party affiliation to decide who is the best candidate for Athens County.”
Adkins did not return requests for comment in time for publication.
The BOE’s next meeting will be held at its 15 S. Court St. offices on June 5, a week earlier than its typical scheduled meeting on the second Wednesday of the month.
The 2024 general election will be held on Nov. 5. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 5. For more information, visit the Athens County Board of Elections.
This story was updated May 21 to include a statement from Amy Renner.
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