Corbett has been serving as a Champaign County Commissioner for more than 20 years. Prior to taking on his commission role, he worked at International Harvester for 40 years. His term is set to expire on Dec. 31.
“The results are the results, and I wish everyone the best of luck,” Corbett said.
Vitale has worked as the state representative for District 85 – which includes Champaign, Logan and Shelby counties – for eight years, and thus cannot run for re-election in that role due to term limits in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Prior to his work as a state representative, where in his past two terms he was a vocal opponent of mask mandates and both the state and federal government’s pandemic response, Vitale worked in the private-sector for 22 years. He is currently working at his family’s manufacturing business, Johnson Welded Products Inc., based in Urbana.
“I feel very humbled,” he said. “I want to continue with fiscal responsibility and moving Champaign County forward in the right direction.”
He said he feels his experience as state representative can bring new things to the table for county commission, specifically in terms of fiscal decision-making.
“When you manage money, and you put money behind a certain effort or not behind a certain effort, you can also effect a cultural change in your area,” he said.
A cultural change he wants to see in Champaign County is an emphasis on creating stronger family ties through programming at Champaign County’s Job and Family Services.
“If we can help mom and dad have a better relationship and union through the programs we have… not only is that good for those two individuals, it’s also good for the children, and it also starts saving the taxpayers money. It becomes big and expensive when the government tries to be mom and dad,” he said.
Challenger Bailey has worked with numerous county agencies, including the Champaign County Auditor’s Office, where she worked as a deputy auditor for years in real estate and bookkeeping. In addition, she worked with the county’s welfare programming, now the county’s department of job and family services, for nearly 30 years.
“I appreciate the support that has been shown by the voters in Champaign County. I look forward to the future of our community,” she said, also wishing the future commissioner luck in the role.
Former county commissioner David Faulkner was first elected as a county commissioner in 2012 and was reelected in 2016. He lost the primary election in 2020 to current commissioner Tim Cassady.
Faulkner could not be reached for comment.
No Democrats filed to run for commission. County Board of Elections offices have until July 15 to certify petitions from Independent candidates for the general election in November.
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