Republicans re-up Swearingen on elections board

SANDUSKY — Unlike their Democrat counterparts, the Erie County Republican Party's leadership appointed a person to serve on a prominent board without any division or disputes causing drama.During a recent meeting, the Republicans re-upped Douglas "DJ" Swearingen as a member on the four-person county elections board. His new four-year term begins March 1.Swearingen, an area attorney who also serves as the party's chairman, began his stint as a board member in 2016. The board oversees local elections and supervises its staff."It's an honor and a privilege to be nominated by the Erie County Republican Party to serve on the Erie County Board of Elections," said Swearingen, who received unanimous support during the in-party vote."I look forward to working with Secretary of State Frank LaRose, my Democratic colleagues on the board and, most especially, our exceptional staff and poll workers, led by Jen Ferback and Michelle McKinney, to conduct elections in our county over the next four years," Swearingen said.Among those supporting Swearingen included county commissioner Matt Old, a Republican."Erie County has always had flawless elections," Old said. "We feel it is important to have attorneys on the board who understand the law and can deal with the complicated matters that come before the board. The job is simply too important to appoint people because they are friends of the party chairman like they used to do in the old days."Dealing with Democrat dramaSwearingen serves alongside his party mate, Nic Smith, and two Democrats: Tom Ferrell and Kevin Zeiher.Zeiher, however, recently lost his reappointed bid to Bill Monaghan, a retired executive purchasing clerk and former county commissioner. Monaghan's four-year term also starts March 1.Minutes before a vote took place at a Jan. 24 meeting, a highly emotional woman made unsubstantiated accusations about Zeiher poorly handling a situation involving a conflict at the board office. Zeiher addressed her accusations, indicating authorities handled the matter and didn't pursue any charges.Zeiher questioned the woman's motives and wondered whether it was a staged event. Amy Grubbe, the party's chair, who ran the meeting, didn't limit this woman when she spoke. The woman, in fact, talked for a longer period than either Monaghan or Zeiher when appealing to voters for support."I felt like I was tarred and feathered," Zeiher said.Grubbe and Zeiher often butt heads. For instance, also before the vote, Zeiher challenged Grubbe's methods for conducting a vote in that eligible Democrats needed to sign their ballots. Grubbe responded, saying she was "appalled" by Zeiher's claim.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Douglas "DJ" Swearingen