As the community continues to mourn the loss of Commissioner Cathy Coleman, attention now turns to an important question: Who will fill her shoes?
The Scioto County Republican Central Committee has announced a special meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the New Boston Community Center to select a new county commissioner to fill the vacancy left by Coleman’s passing earlier this month.
This appointment is not just ceremonial—it’s required by Ohio Revised Code Section 305.02, which mandates that the county party’s central committee appoint a replacement within 45 days of the vacancy. Whoever is chosen on July 29 will serve until a successor is elected in 2026 to finish the remainder of Coleman’s unexpired term.
The Process: Three Rounds, One Winner
Only Republican Central Committee members will vote in the selection process, and voting must be done in person and by secret ballot. No absentee or call-in votes are allowed.
The voting will take place in three rounds:
- First Ballot: All candidates listed
- Second Ballot: Top four vote-getters
- Final Ballot: Top two finalists
The Candidates
As of today, ten local Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring:
- Kevin Clausing
- Yvonne Hale
- Kevin Johnson
- Will Mault
- Aaron Payne
- Paul Rideout
- Susan Sammons
- Merit Smith
- Jim Turner
- Mark Ward
Anyone wishing to be added to the ballot must notify Central Committee Chairman Kevin Craft by Sunday, July 27.
Big Shoes to Fill
The late Commissioner Cathy Coleman wasn’t just a public official—she was a community advocate, a voice for seniors, and a leader who carried on the legacy of her late husband, Commissioner Doug Coleman. Her unexpected passing on July 4 left a void not only in county government, but in the hearts of countless residents who admired her quiet strength and deep faith.
Commissioners Bryan Davis and Scottie Powell have both spoken about Coleman’s legacy and the importance of choosing someone who shares her passion for public service and financial responsibility.
“She left a legacy,” Davis said last week. “That mantle is going to fall on someone.”
Now, the decision rests with the Republican Central Committee. And while no one can truly replace Cathy Coleman, on July 29, one person will be chosen to carry that legacy forward.
