‘Overreaction’: Local GOP leader disagrees with decision to remove sheriff deputies from election security

PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) – The leader of the Portage County Republican Party says she does not believe the sheriff’s department should have been removed from providing security at the county board of elections due to comments made by the Portage County sheriff on his personal social media account.

“Overall, the hiring of another security team casts aspersions on the entire county sheriff’s department and all the deputies,” said Amanda Suffecool, chairman of the Portage County GOP. “Overall, I think this is an overreaction. These men and women from the sheriff’s department have committed no crime and serve the county faithfully. For them to be caught up in this fight between the parties is unacceptable. In addition to being a member of the county board of election, I am also the Republican Party chairman, and I fear it looks like we are heading down a path where we are police shaming these fine officers.”

However, Portage County democratic leaders strongly disagree with her statement.

Randi Clites, chair of the board of elections, made a motion on Friday to amend and update the Portage County Election Administration Plan for 2024. The motion was to remove the sheriff’s department from providing the election security at the board office during in-person absentee voting. Her motion passed 3-1, with Suffecool, casting the lone no vote.

“As board members we are charged with preventing violence and disorder at the polls, and to conduct a safe and secure election process. It is clear by public comments in the past week there is perceived intimidation by our sheriff against certain voters,” Clites said. “While it is not my responsibility to weigh in on the sheriff’s comments directly, I feel strongly it is in my responsibility to make sure I do what is in my authority to make sure every voter in Portage County feels safe casting their ballot for any candidate they choose. I believe walking into a voting location where a sheriff deputy can be seen may discourage voters from entering. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the deputies that have in the past provided safety to our BOE board, staff, and voters throughout the election process. I do not for one second believe any deputy would not continue to provide that level of service this election cycle, however not every citizen or voter has had that same opportunity to build the level of trust with our deputies.”

The FOX 8 I-Team reached out to Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski to discuss the matter but he has not yet returned our calls.

Last week, Zuchowski posted on his personal social media page a screenshot of a Fox News segment which criticized President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on immigration issues.

The sheriff suggested writing down the addresses of people who had Harris yard signs so that immigrants could be sent to live with them if Harris won the election. Zuchowski has since removed the post.

He also added a new post saying some “misinterpreted” the original post.

Suffecool added the decision to hire a different security team could cost the board of elections more money.

“As to the budget, this is also no small concern,” Suffecool said. “The entire board of election board works diligently to have a budget that aligns with the county and supports our employees to the best of our ability. By going off budget for a line item that could be in the range of eight to ten thousand dollars, what other area goes unfunded at the end of the year. Even government money is not open ended, and the purse strings get pulled. I repeat that there is no need to do this, and it is a Republican verses Democrat theater of a perceived threat.”

But local democratic leaders disagree about the cost and say they believe the sheriff’s department should not be providing security.

“It is my opinion that anytime the sitting sheriff is on the ballot , it should not be the sheriff that provides security,” said Denise Smith, chair of the Portage County Democratic Party. “The point is people should be able to walk in vote for who they want to vote for without any fear or intimidation.”

She said several voters have expressed concerns about the sheriff’s comments.

State Rep. Casey Weinstein agrees. He says many of his constituents live and work in Portage County and have expressed concerns.

“The sheriff should not be in a position where he is providing security,” Weinstein said. “I think that could be translated into targeting people based on his rhetoric.”

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