A Republican primary race that has, at times, turned nasty comes to a head May 5.
In GOP-controlled Butler County, Republican voters will decide between sitting Commissioner Cindy Carpenter and Michael Ryan, a former Hamilton council member, to serve on the three-person commissioner board.
There’s also a Democrat running for commissioner, Mike Miller, who is unopposed by any Democrats.
The Republican primary race has been a hotbed of drama since its start, including surprising campaign donations, personal attacks and a shift in support from county Republicans.
Latest drama in Republican primary for commissioner
Ryan raised over $46,000 for the primary race, according to pre-primary financial documents he filed with the Butler County Board of Elections, reviewed by The Enquirer. He outraised Carpenter, who reported $7,700 in donations.
It’s unusual for a challenger to outraise an incumbent. The sources of Ryan’s donations show county Republicans have largely backed him over Carpenter, who’s served as commissioner since 2011.
Some of Ryan’s donors included political action committees associated with Butler County Auditor Nancy Nix, Clerk of Courts Mary Swain and Sheriff Richard Jones. His top donor, the Butler County Republican Party, contributed $19,000.
The party endorsed Ryan in his race for commissioner. Carpenter did not seek the party’s endorsement.
Who’s backing Cindy Carpenter?
Most of Carpenter’s campaign funds, meanwhile, were donated by Glenwood Starks, Jr., an individual who lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Last week, a February letter Sheriff Jones wrote Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser ‒ where he accused Carpenter of “erratic and unhinged behavior” ‒ also became public.
This year, Gmoser investigated Carpenter twice for allegations about her conduct. She was not charged with any crimes.
The Enquirer will update this story with election results.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Voters head to the polls for tense Republican commissioner primary
Reporting by Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
