Dems oust Zeiher from elections board

PERKINS TWP. — A Democrat lost his reappointment bid to continue serving on the local elections board.The Erie County Democratic Party on Thursday voted to name Bill Monaghan, a retired executive purchasing clerk, to the four-member board. The board, which oversees local elections and supervises its staff, is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans.Monaghan's four-year board term starts March 1 and runs through February 2023. Monaghan most recently served as a county commissioner, opting against running for re-election this past year upon completing his third term in December.He defeated Kevin Zeiher, a local lawyer who served on the elections board for 10 years. Many credited Zeiher for helping to run smooth elections and establishing bipartisanship with Republicans.Minutes before a vote took place, 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.Zeiher believes this intimated some voters, pointing to numerous people, including several Democratic county elected officials, skipping out on Thursday's vote.Grubbe responded, saying she was "appalled" by Zeiher's claim.After the vote, a solemn Zeiher provided a brief statement."I was honored to have served on the board and believed we held really good elections. "I guess I wasn't enough of a Democrat for them."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Bill Monaghan, center, addresses Erie County Democrats at a meeting inside the Sandusky-area UAW Hall on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Monaghan defeated Kevin Zeiher and will assume his seat on the Erie County elections board in March.