Davenport Stands as an Indepenent Candidate for Commissioner

20140815_102404 — The Board of Elections hears the arguments concerning Mick Davenport filing as an Independent candidate. Photo by the Meigs Independent Press.

A protest was filed, but the Meigs County Board of Elections voted to deny the protest and allow a candidate to run for office as an Independent.

The board heard the arguments for and against Davenport running as an Independent Friday morning in the Meigs County Common Pleas Courtroom. Davenport maintained that he was an Independent. Those opposing stated that he had a long record of partisan affiliation with the Democrat party.

Davenport was questioned about what he would do following the election if he is not elected. Would he remain an Independent? Davenport did not answer the question. Upon further pressing, he said loosing the election was not in his expectations.

Davenport has led or been a very active member of the Democratic party in Meigs County for decades. He has also held the office of county commissioner as a Democrat. He filed to run in the upcoming election as an Independent.

His candidacy has been questioned because of questions concerning the Ohio Revised Code and the procedure for those changing party affiliations and elections. One of those questions involved a waiting period between running and the change in candidacy. Another point of opposition was his long-standing affiliation with the Democrat party in Meigs County. Both points were brought up by those arguing against Davenport’s filing as an Independent to the Board of Elections.

Those arguing against were Tim Ihle, Craig Wehrung, and Joshua Will.

The protestors had to prove that Davenport in good faith was not Independent, according to the Board of Elections. The Board had discussion of the candidate in question. During the discussion, some of the board said they felt that since he filed as an Independent, they must believe he did so in good faith to be Independent and not affiliated with the Democrat party. The decision of the Board was to deny the protest.

Davenport will appear on the fall ballot as an Independent candidate for Meigs County Commissioner. Tim Ihle is a current county commissioner and will also be on the ballot listed as a Republican for Meigs County Commissioner.