Michelle Hung files for re-election to Lorain County Board of Commissioners

Incumbent Lorain County Commissioner Michelle Hung, a Republican, is seeking a second-consecutive term on the Board of Commissioners in 2024, she officially announced Wednesday. "I have submitted petitions to run for re-election for Lorain County Commissioner, term commencing on January 2nd, 2025," Hung wrote in a news release. "It has been an honor and privilege to represent the residents for nearly three years." "I have worked to move forward issues of importance for the residents prioritizing infrastructure, emergency management readiness, 911 upgrades, cyber security, stormwater management and framework initiatives that include children, families, seniors and veterans," she wrote. "The support from our residents has been very meaningful to me, and with your help I will continue to work for and represent the residents of Lorain County." After serving less than a full term as an at-large councilwoman on North Ridgeville City Council, Hung was elected commissioner when she defeated incumbent Democratic commissioner Lori Kokoski in the 2020 general election. Her first term has been filled with controversy. She voted to hire Harry Williamson as Lorain County 911 director in January 2021 without telling fellow commissioners David Moore and Matt Lundy that she was having an extramarital romantic and sexual affair with Williamson. Lundy, who had voted against hiring Williamson in the first place, and Moore voted to fire Williamson after finding out about the affair that summer. Williamson was making nearly $80,000 annually when fired, and sued the county for wrongful termination. Moore demanded Hung resign after learning of the affair. She refused. Auditor of State investigators forwarded nepotism allegations to the Ohio Ethics Commission after an investigation revealed that Hung allegedly tried to get her brother a county job; allegedly approved the hiring of an intern, whom she didn't reveal was the daughter of her now ex-husband's boss; and allegedly tried to get a job for her sister-in-law at Lorain County Job & Family Services, according to investigators in state Auditor Keith Faber's office. Hung has championed a better radio system for emergency first responders in Lorain County, and been applauded by them and county employee unions for sticking up for their concerns about the county health care plan during public meetings — including at Tuesday night's commissioners meeting. Investigations by the state auditor and Lorain County Sheriff's Office found no evidence, as claimed by Hung's critics including Moore, that she and Williamson steered an emergency radio contract to Cleveland Communications Inc. in December 2022. Hung's re-election campaign kickoff event was at Amber Oaks Restaurant in Sheffield Lake on Dec. 7, according to an event posted on her campaign Facebook page. The campaign page is www.Facebook.com/HungForCommissioner. Republican Marty Gallagher of Avon Lake has filed paperwork to challenge Hung in the March 19. The host committee for his campaign kickoff was co-chaired by Hung opponents Moore and Commissioner Jeff Riddell, among other prominent county Republicans. The Democrats facing off in the primary to retake the commissioners' seat from Republicans are Charles Brown of Elyria and Carolyn White of Sheffield.