Shenigo switches parties

PERKINS TWP. — Erie County's top Democrat switched party affiliations last month. "As former President Ronald Reagan said, many years ago, 'I didn't leave the Democratic Party. The party left me," county commissioner Pat Shenigo said. The swap officially occurred during May's primary, when Shenigo filled out a Republican ballot, thus changing his political status from a "D" to an "R." Up until this point, Shenigo's allegiance with the Erie County Democratic Party stretched back throughout his entire political career, spanning 14 years and dating back to an initial campaign run in 2008. He won his first election, taking office in 2009, and securing three additional terms since then. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he'll remain a county commissioner through 2024. Now the Erie County commission is all Republican, consisting of Shenigo, Matt Old and Steve Shoffner. "This is the first time I can remember a county elected official switching political parties in the middle of a term," said Old, a local historian of area politics. Straying from the path Shenigo's path as a county commissioner diverted from the traditional route compared to other area Democrats. He was never fully embraced by local party leaders, even though many consider him the most successful county commissioner in Erie County's history. "The local Democratic party leadership has systematically isolated me from the party because I didn't play their political games," said Shenigo, referencing its leadership and specifically singling out chairwoman Amy Grubbe. "Even after overwhelmingly winning my fourth Democratic primary in 2020, the party censored me for working with Republican elected officials and banned me from participating in their local meetings," he said. "They have made it clear that I am not welcome in their party." Throughout his tenure, and a reason why Shenigo believes he keeps getting re-elected, revolves around his mantra: "What's best for Erie County comes first, and partisan politics comes last." "I have tried to be as non-political as possible, supporting state and federal officials from both parties based not on their political affiliation but who was working in the best interest of my bosses: the taxpayers." The local Democratic party shunning Shenigo stuns many officials, Democrats and Republicans alike. Several state and federal officials — including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, and Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown — often praise Shenigo, seek him out for guidance and want him present, front and center, during their attendance in Erie County for celebratory events. Regarding the switch, Shenigo hopes locals don't focus on the letter beside his name. "I will remain committed to the same principles that I have had throughout my entire public career: fiscal responsibility, job creation and maintaining a small and responsive government," Shenigo said. "I plan to continue my service to Erie County in the same manner that I have these past 14 years. I will continue working with Democrats and Republicans to represent Erie County taxpayers, and I will always put the needs of the taxpayers first." Sounding off Several local officials gave their take on Shenigo switching from a Democrat to a Republican: • Old: I am very happy to welcome commissioner Shenigo to the Republican party. His conservative leadership of the county over the past decade has put us in a strong financial position. At the county level, we have always put party aside and worked on what is in the best interest of the citizens of Erie County. We are too small of a community to let our political parties divide the elected officials, however, it's always nice to add a new member to the team. Pat and I have worked together to continue to pay down Erie County's tremendous debt while keeping the cost of government projects low and always watching for government waste. • Erie County treasurer/Erie County Republican Party chairman Caleb Stidham: I am excited to welcome commissioner Shenigo to the Republican party. It's good to see him join many others throughout Erie County in realizing that today's Democratic Party no longer represents working people. I look forward to my continued work with commissioner Shenigo to govern Erie County in an accessible, transparent and financially prudent manner. • Democratic Sandusky city commissioner Dennis Murray Jr: I have many friends who are Republicans, Pat being among them. Pat has always been a Republican, a fact well known to both local parties, but, nonetheless, ran as a Democrat. Pat's change in declared party affiliation has no impact on local politics or my friendship with Pat. In too many places, politics have become tribal, but thank goodness that is not true locally. • Republican attorney Duff Milkie: Having worked with Pat on the successful sports center developments, I have seen him work well with both sides of the aisle, and I don't think a change in his party affiliation will impact his ability to lead the county. From a business and economic development perspective, collaboration and a broad-based vision for progress are much more important attributes than party affiliation. Long list of successes Among what pundits, community members and colleagues consider Shenigo's greatest victories in office, he: • Shrank the county's debt to $54 million today; It's the lowest amount owed since 2001 and marks a 53% decrease compared to when county debt peaked at $116 million in 2008, before he took office. • Supported various programs and initiatives related to the area's addiction recovery movement; Most notably, commissioners financially supported the region's first detox unit along with Becky's House and Genesis by the Lake, a pair of sober-living facilities for women. • Spearheaded multimillion-dollar deals with local officials and executives nationwide to land two state-of-the-art youth sports complexes, neighboring indoor and outdoor facilities, on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) in Erie County; The total value of those two projects equals $66 million. • Acted as the lead negotiator in a peace summit between Erie MetroParks and community members residing on River Road; Shenigo hammered out a deal to both save the district from bankruptcy and revert land to homeowners that was, previously and wrongly, seized by the park board. • Overhauled The Meadows at Osborn Park, the Erie County-owned nursing home near Osborn MetroPark, with modern facilities to attract more residents • Resurrected and obtained ownership, at no cost, a pair of long-dormant water lines once owned by NASA; Work at a plant near Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve: — Ensured Sandusky water customers have a safe and reliable backup water system — Offered endless marketing opportunities, as raw water is a crucial ingredient to lure manufacturing companies into the region • Implemented many changes at the Erie County landfill to make it more efficient and eliminating a longstanding operational deficit • Pursued a process, which includes receiving public input, to enhance the county's sewer system • Advocated for and secured $32 million from the state to rebuild U.S. 250 "When I was first elected commissioner in 2008, my goal was to create a new way of doing business for Erie County by making government more efficient," Shenigo said.