DELAWARE — Three candidates are vying to replace Delaware County Commissioner Barb Lewis, with voters set to narrow the field in the May 5 primary.
Two Republicans — Joe St. John and Renee Vaughan — are competing in the primary, with the winner advancing to face Democrat Ryan Grissinger in the November general election. Grissinger is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The candidate elected in November will serve a four-year term. The position carries a starting annual salary of $112,502, with increases set by the Ohio Revised Code.
County commissioners serve as the county’s primary governing body, overseeing budgets, infrastructure and public services.
They are responsible for setting the county’s budget, approving spending and managing county property, as well as making decisions on issues like economic development, water and sewer systems and annexations.
Commissioners also work with other elected officials and community partners to plan for growth and ensure county services are funded and operating effectively.
Lewis has held the role since 2015, playing a key part in shaping the county during one of its fastest periods of growth.
Each candidate was given the opportunity to answer the same set of questions from Delaware Source:
- Your full name:
- Your address:
- Your date of birth:
- What is your educational attainment (including where you graduated from)?
- What is your current occupation?
- Have you held previous elected office? If so, list the office and years served:
- Why are you seeking this particular office?
- What are the top three issues you will address if elected? And how would you address them? (Be specific):
- List the top three things that differentiate you from your opponent(s)? (Be specific):
- Other thoughts you would like to share?
Their responses appear below, lightly edited for clarity and length.
Renee Vaughan
Galena resident Renee Vaughan, 55, is a Genoa Township Trustee and has been for six years.
She has a background in special education, earning her bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Cincinnati, her master’s degree in special education from the University of Pittsburgh and her principal certification from Slippery Rock University.
Vaughan said she is seeking the commissioner seat because she wants to manage Delaware County’s “tremendous growth” responsibly by ensuring the county’s infrastructure, economy and communities “remain strong.”
“As a Genoa Township Trustee, I have seen firsthand how thoughtful planning and responsible investment can support growth while protecting the quality of life that residents value,” she said, adding this experience sets her apart from her opponents.
Vaughan believes strong infrastructure, responsible development, fiscal responsibility and public safety will ensure the county is prepared to accommodate continued growth.
She lists those as her top issues she plans to address, if elected. She will address them by:
- Ensuring roads, schools and public safety services “keep pace.”
- Promoting government transparency and accountability.
- Supporting law enforcement, emergency responders and the court systems.
- Working collaboratively with other local governments and the private sector.
“We must continue building a county where people want to live, work, and raise their families. That means working collaboratively with local governments, the private sector, and the skilled men and women who build and maintain our communities to ensure Delaware County continues to grow responsibly, sustainably, and economically strong,” she said.
“I am passionate about representing voters because I understand how important it is for people to feel heard, respected and included in the decisions that affect their daily lives,” Vaughan said, “As county commissioner, I will bring that same commitment to listening, accountability and strong representation to the county level.”
Joe St. John
Joe St. John, 43, has served as mayor of Sunbury since 2021, and prior to that, he served on Sunbury’s city council.
The Sunbury resident graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in family resource management specializing in consumer affairs.
He works as the senior vice president and enterprise program manager of Huntington National Bank.
St. John said he wants to be the next commissioner because of his love for the county.
“Delaware County is growing fast, and we need disciplined planning, so responsible
growth pays for growth, protects property owners and does not land on families and seniors already stretched,” St. John said.
If elected, his top three issues he will address include:
- Managing growth that is outpacing roads, utilities and traffic capacity by “requiring fair developer contributions/impact fees where legally appropriate, and using tools like tax increment financing, new community authorities or assessments to fund roads, stormwater and capacity upgrades without shifting the bill to existing residents.” He also said he would prioritize projects on “corridors that unlock the most relief,” listing U.S. Route 23, State Route 3 and other high traffic areas.
- Supporting affordable living in the county by encouraging a mix of housing types in the right places, including starter homes, townhomes and senior options. St. John also said he would “protect long-term affordability” by planning road and utilities infrastructure to responsibly expand the housing supply.
- Funding core safety services, such as Sheriff’s deputies, EMS, dispatch centers and courts to provide appropriate staffing. St. John said he would also support retention and recruiting pipelines through pay/benefits competitiveness and training.
What sets St. John apart from his opponents? He said his proven experience as a leader.
“I bring a unique combination of leadership as mayor of Sunbury and as a senior executive at a top 10 bank. I manage complex budgets, lead enterprise-wide initiatives and delivered real results, balancing growth while maintaining fiscal discipline,” John said.
He pointed to initiatives he’s led in Sunbury as an example of his experience.
“In the last three years, we’ve generated nearly $2.5 million in impact fees, secured approximately $10 million in grants and are eliminating inside millage to reduce the tax burden on residents,” St. John said, “I’ve implemented real tax relief successfully.”
St. John also shared he has been endorsed by Commissioners Barb Lewis and Jeff Benton, along with U.S. Representative Troy Balderson.
Ryan Grissinger
Democrat Ryan Grissinger, who is unopposed in the primary, also responded to the same set of questions.
Grissinger, 49, is a Genoa Township resident who has never pursued public office before now.
He studied chemistry, philosophy, business and accounting at the College of Wooster and Miami University, but did not complete a degree.
His career has focused on technology and operation, now as founder and CEO of Polaris Pixels, an AI consulting firm based in Westerville. Prior to that, Grissinger spent nearly a decade as chief technology officer of Roof Maxx.
Grissinger said he’s pursuing the county commissioner seat because he too wants to tackle the county’s unprecedented growth.
“I’ve spent 30 years in business, including scaling a company from a startup to 350 franchise locations nationwide. That work taught me what happens when you plan ahead and what happens when you don’t,” he said, “Delaware County deserves a commissioner who brings that kind of planning discipline to the growth we’re seeing.”
If elected, the top three issues Grissinger plans to address are:
- Creating a 10-year growth impact forecast that projects how current and approved development will affect infrastructure, services and budgets.
- Ensuring growth pays for itself by requiring new developments fund their proportional share of the infrastructure they require.
- Providing transparent and unified countywide planning. “Every township plans on its own. That makes sense locally, but there’s no framework tying it together. I’ll push for a modern countywide plan built in the open with public input, so major growth decisions aren’t made in isolation,” he said.
Grissinger said he’s set apart from his opponents because he’s “already been doing the work” by meeting with township trustees, fire chiefs, EMS leaders, and department heads across all 19 townships in the county to listen to their needs.
Grissinger also said, as the only Democratic candidate, he brings a different perspective to the board.
“Decisions get better when more than one viewpoint is at the table. Voters deserve a commissioner who asks hard questions and isn’t afraid to be the only ‘no’ vote when the facts warrant it,” he said.
“Running for commissioner isn’t about politics for me. It’s about public service. My family lives in Delaware County. My kids live go to school here. My business is here. I’m not running against anyone, I’m running for the future of a county that’s about to have hundreds of thousands more neighbors,” Grissinger said.
