For the first time in months, the Scioto County Board of Commissioners will finally have three people at the table.
After three rounds of voting Tuesday night, Steven “Will” Mault was chosen by members of the Scioto County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacant seat left by suspended Commissioner Bryan Davis. The special meeting took place November 11 at the New Boston Community Center, where nine candidates originally put their names in — though one withdrew before speaking.
County Prosecutor Shane Tieman swore Mault in immediately after the vote. He’ll take his seat at the next commissioners’ meeting on Thursday morning.
🗳 How the Vote Worked
Committee members used a tiered voting system:
- A candidate needed 27 votes to win outright.
- If no one reached that threshold, the top four advanced.
- If still no majority, it narrowed to the top two.
After passionate speeches from each candidate, the process stretched through three rounds of voting.
Final results:
- Round 1: Aaron Payne 18, Will Mault 20, Yvonne Hale 12, Kevin Clausing 3
- Round 2: Payne 20, Mault 20, Hale 11, Clausing 2
- Round 3: Payne 23, Mault 30 — and the race was decided.
🗣 The New Commissioner Speaks
An emotional Mault thanked the committee for their trust:
“Oh my gosh. You know, sometimes the word love is overused — but I do love all of you. I’m going to do the best job I can. I’ll leave no stone unturned. I’ll do my best to work with Merit and Scottie Powell. I can’t thank you enough.”
Mault, owner of The Scioto Ribber and Portsmouth Brewing Company, has served more than 20 years on the Republican Central Committee. He’s also a Shawnee State University graduate.
⚖️ Why the Seat Was Open
The third seat on the board has been vacant since Commissioner Bryan Davis was provisionally suspended in September following his indictment on multiple felony corruption charges.
Davis and his wife Lori are accused of participating in a kickback scheme tied to former Economic Development Director Robert Horton. Both couples have pleaded not guilty and remain free on recognizance bonds.
Under Ohio law, the political party of the suspended official—in this case, the Republicans—has the authority to appoint an interim commissioner until the case is resolved.
🪑 Back to a Full Board
The county has struggled with a short bench since early this year.
The late Commissioner Cathy Coleman passed away following a car accident last spring, leaving just two sitting members. Merit Smith was later appointed to fill her seat.
When Davis was suspended, that once again left only Smith and Commissioner Scottie Powell. Under Ohio’s open meetings laws, both must be present to hold official meetings—meaning even a single absence could grind county business to a halt.
Mault’s appointment means the board can finally function at full capacity again.
🔄 What’s Next
- Will Mault will take office this Thursday.
- Bryan Davis’s case remains pending, with a new pre-trial hearing scheduled for December 2.
- Robert Horton’s case continues as well, with his next hearing set for November 19.
For now, after months of scandal, suspension, and empty chairs, Scioto County is back to having a three-member board — and a fighting chance at a fresh start.