Lorain County Republicans recommend Mike Witte to replace Jack Baird on Board of Elections

The Lorain County Republican Party Executive Committee has recommended to the Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose that Mike Witte, of Amherst, be named to the Lorain County Board of Elections. Bob Meilander, executive committee and party chairman, made the announcement this week following an Executive Committee meeting Wednesday. Witte would replace current member Jack Baird, also a Republican. A self-proclaimed "moderate" Republican, Baird was appointed to the board in April 2020 to replace Helen Hurst following her death. Baird on Saturday said he recently had some health concerns, and that "it was time" for him to leave the board. The Board of Elections is made up of four members: two Democrats and two Republicans. The other Republican on the board is Board President Marilyn Jacobcik and the Democrats are Inez James and Anthony Giardini. If appointed, Witte's four-year term would begin March 1. In a news release, both he and the county Republican Party thanked Baird for his service. "I am thankful for this opportunity to serve and continue the good work of Jack Baird in maintaining the integrity of our elections," Witte said. Witte also is on the District 13 Republican State Central Committee representing most of Huron County and all of Lorain County. He was first elected to that post in 2022 and reelected last year. Witte is an architect, contractor, business owner and longtime member of Totally Engaged Americans, or the TEA Party, in Lorain County according to the GOP. He also is a former candidate for the Amherst Board of Education. Witte and Baird both were donors to fellow Republican Jeff Riddell's succesful 2022 campaign for Lorain County commissioner. Baird was a member of Elyria City Council for 37 years before announcing in early 2021 he would not seek reelection to his at-large council seat after he was named to replace Hurst. Baird was allowed to continue serving as a councilman, but could not be a candidate for office, after being named to the Board of Elections. According to the county GOP, Witte has been involved in elections, campaigns and election integrity efforts since 2012, most recently with the Ohio Election Integrity Network.The Election Integrity Network is a conservative group that pushes for election integrity and security of voting and has ties to President-elect Donald Trump and some of his former staff members, according to media reports. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.