After months of scandal, resignations, and vacancies, Scioto County finally has three commissioners again — but for how long remains an open question.
Right now, both Merit Smith and Steven “Will” Mault are technically interim commissioners.
- Smith was appointed earlier this year to finish the term of the late Commissioner Cathy Coleman, who died following a car accident last spring. He’ll have to run in 2028 if he wants to keep the job.
- Mault was just selected by the Scioto County Republican Central Committee to temporarily replace suspended Commissioner Bryan Davis, who stepped aside in the wake of his corruption indictment.
Under state law, Mault will have to hand the job back to Davis if the suspended commissioner is reinstated. But with Davis’s criminal case still in the early stages, it’s unclear how long that could take — or whether voters will ever see him on the ballot again.
Davis Could Still Run — Even on Trial
The next Republican primary in May 2026 will determine the official candidates for Davis’s seat in the November 2026 election.
And yes — Davis could technically run again, even if he’s in the middle of a criminal trial. He’s currently charged with:
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
- Theft in office
- Aggravated theft
- Money laundering
He and his wife, Lori Davis, have pleaded not guilty to all charges and remain free on bond.
Who Else Might Be in the Mix?
One man who already has campaign plans is Aaron Payne, who narrowly lost to Mault during the central committee’s appointment vote.
Payne, the chief operating officer of Graff Custom Transport, says he’s ready for 2026:
“Being a leader is about managing chaos, solving problems, and holding people accountable. Take a chance on me and I promise I won’t let you down. I’m preparing for a win.”
Another familiar name is Yvonne Hale, who has already sought the position twice — first after Coleman’s death and again this month. Hale, who serves as court administrator for Scioto County Common Pleas Court, said she believes in fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and creating solid jobs for local families.
“We’re lifelong residents of Scioto County,” Hale said. “We want our children and grandchildren to have those opportunities.”
Susan Sammons, a Valley Local Schools board member, also sought the seat but didn’t draw votes from the central committee. She emphasized that Republicans should pick “a role model who’s not afraid to say they support the Republican platform.”
Appointed by a Few, Not Elected by the Many
Both Mault and Smith earned their seats through votes of fewer than 50 members of the Republican Central Committee — not the general public.
That means their choices might not reflect what Scioto County voters would decide in a countywide election. Once campaign season begins, new faces could emerge, and familiar names could be tested by the broader electorate.
Bottom line: Scioto County may finally have a full board again, but political stability could still be months — or even years — away. With two interim members and one suspended commissioner under indictment, the 2026 election could reshape the county’s leadership for years to come.
