DISCUSSION: IS TOM HARMON INVINCIBLE?

Democrat Tom Harmon is not an elected officeholder. A confidant of Stark County Democratic chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr., Harmon is the hand-picked candidate of party chair Maier and his group of six or so personal loyalists who control the Stark County Democratic Party.

Former Stark County Republican chair Curt Braden prevailed on Travis Secrest to take on the Stark County Democratic Party political machine.

One of the reasons that Republicans hold only one county wide office (Commissioner Jane Vignos - who is retiring), in the view of the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT, is the ineptness Braden demonstrated as party chair in finding attractive candidates.

Maybe that has changed with Secrest. Fresh out of college, Secrest has an impressive campaign platform.

According to Harmon's answer to a Repository questionnaire, Harmon wants to continue as county commissioner because "[he] enjoy[s] public service. [He] want[s] to initiate or support efforts to improve Stark County's infrastructure, streamline and consolidate government functions when possible and collaborate with business leaders on economic development opportunities. [He] believes in promoting a regional approach to public resource management."

The question. Has Harmon done well enough in his first year as commissioner in achieving his self-defined goals to merit to be actually elected county commissioner?