GOP picks Linton to run for commission seat he was re-appointed to

LOGAN — Following last week's re-appointment to office, the Hocking County Republican Party voted Tuesday evening to solidify Michael Linton's position as county commissioner.

The vote was without much drama or discussion. Party chair Mike Harris called Linton's appointment a "99% likelihood" last week, and the result followed suit.

What was a matter of more uncertainty was whom the party would nominate for the unexpired term of resigning commissioner Jessica Dicken, whose term was set to end in 2026. Due to the timing of her resignation, the seat will be contested in this year's general election.

This too, though, was a subject of little discussion. Again unanimously, the Republican central committee nominated Linton for the November election. The party also made a move to donate $1,000 toward the commissioner's re-election campaign.

Hocking County now has to decide on all three commissioner seats this November. Incumbent Democrat Sandy Ogle is running against Republican Drew Davidson, and incumbent Republican Jason D'Onofrio is running against Democrat Michael Schrader.

As of press time, the Hocking County Democrats had yet to officially nominate a candidate to run against Linton, and did not respond to the Logan Daily News' request for comment.

In Tuesday's meeting of the Republicans, however, Harris made mention of South Bloomingville realtor Pat Hartman as a potential candidate for that race. This is unconfirmed, however.

Hartman previously ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner in the Democratic primary.

Email at rmorris@logandaily.com