Commission

of theWarren County Democratic party said.

Unopposed, as they were in theGOPprimary, areCommissioner Shannon Jones, Coroner Russell Uptegrove, Engineer Neil Tunison, Prosecutor David Fornshell, Recorder Linda Oda, Sheriff Larry Sims, Treasurer BarneyWrightandjudgesRobert Peeler and Joe Kirby. Republican ClerkOfCourts JimSpaeth, the only countywide officeholderwho faced a primarychallenge, isunopposed in the presidential election.

Young said he viewed the lack of opposition as “testament that government is actually working.”

The county has about $35 million in reserve funds and expects to cover the cost of the new$57 million jail with a 0.25% sales-tax increase. There have been no layoffs or service cuts due to the continuing pandemic.

“There’s not a big outcry to change things,” Young added. “Financially, we are in unbelievably goodshape.”

If elected, Stein said he had no definite plans for changes.

“I got tired of seeing the ballot with no options, nobody to vote for but a Republican,” Stein said, expressing frustration at the absence of otherDemocratic candidates. “We should have onefor everyopenposition.”

Stein said his time at GE prepared him for bureaucracy.

“They could never overwhelmmewith paperwork,” he said, while suggesting his electionwouldbenefitvoters.

“It certainlywould be nice to have some diversity in the position. Group think is not a good thing,” he said.

“I don’t have any expectations. Providence could wake up some of the sleeping electorate and sweep meinto office,” Stein added.

Families for Young reported $849 on hand for the election in June; Bob Stein for Commissioner reported $25 in campaign funds, according to county election records.

At one point in recent years, Young, a business owner andwealth manager, said hewasweighing retirement and amove to his Florida home. Now he is building a new home in Deerfield Twp., the fast- developing unincorporated area outside Mason.

“I kind of enjoy what I’m doing, which is making good decisions for the county,” he said. “After 16 years, the people of Warren County know what they are getting from me. If theywantme to represent them, fine. If they don’t, that’s OK.”