Laffin stays as commissioner

CELINA - Mercer County Commissioner Jerry Laffin resoundingly defeated Democratic challenger Kathy Deitsch by capturing 75.7 percent of the vote, securing another four-year term.

Laffin, a 77-year-old Coldwater Republican, who's been a county commissioner since Jan. 2, 1981, garnered 15,665 votes to Deitsch's 5,015, according to the county board of election's unofficial results.

"I want to thank the voters of Mercer County. They've treated me very good, not only just this time but all the previous times," Laffin said. "I always try to credit my success to the fact that the voters are behind me on what I do."

Laffin said he and fellow commissioners Greg Homan and Rick Muhlenkamp, both Republicans, will soon begin reviewing appropriations for the coming year. Running unopposed, Muhlenkamp of Celina picked up his second four-year term.

"And we're going to be as conservative as we can with the taxpayers' dollars," Laffin said.

Laffin ran on a platform of fiscal stewardship and proactive investment in county infrastructure. He had said the county has been on solid financial ground the last few years under his leadership and has been able to build up a rainy-day fund.

Deitsch, a 70-year-old Celina Democrat who had sought to become to the first woman commissioner in county history, had called for a new era of inclusiveness and outreach to all residents. She told the newspaper Tuesday night she will continue to be active in local politics.

"It's just really clear to me that in Mercer County we need more bipartisanship," Deitsch said. "We need more Democrats running for office, but more than that we need to have dialogue and discussion. You can't make decisions with one party that work for everybody. You just can't."