NEWS

Tarbert defeats Moorehead in law director primary

Eric Lagatta
Reporter

ZANESVILLE – Nearly 650 voters selected Republican David Tarbert on Tuesday to challenge the Democratic incumbent for the city law director position in November.

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Tarbert defeated Derrick Moorehead by 138 votes to capture the Republican nomination, according to an unofficial count by the Muskingum County Board of Elections. He will face Democrat Scott Hillis in the general election.

It was the only contested race on this May's ballot. Polls closed at 7:30 p.m., and the results were available around 9 p.m.

"It's a great feeling," Tarbert said. "I have to thank and want to thank my friends and family and supporters for all their hard work."

Tarbert said he and his team plan to take a couple of months to regroup before beginning the campaign before the general election.

"We're going to enjoy this here for a little while," he said.

Tarbert has been an attorney in Zanesville for more than two decades. He serves as McConnelsville's prosecutor, which has the same responsibilities as Zanesville's law director, he said.

Tarbert has a four-point plan if he were elected to office that involves eliminating crime and helping the police department. That plan includes reviewing the municipal code to ensure crimes in Zanesville have the same penalty as crimes outside the city, ensuring victims and witnesses feel safe enough to report crimes and improving Zanesville's housing stock by, for instance, holding absentee landlords accountable.

Tarbert has served as 5th Ward city council member for 20 years, though he is not seeking re-election in November.

He complimented Moorehead's campaign and said he expects great things from the attorney in the future.

"I think he's a fine young man. He ran a great campaign," Tarbert said. "I think we see a great future from him in our city."

Moorehead has been an attorney in Zanesville for more than a decade. He thanked his staff and thanked everyone who came out to the polls to support him. He said he has no immediate plans to run for public office as of now.

"I appreciate everything they did. Everyone worked themselves to the bone," Moorehead said of his team. "David Tarbert 100 percent has my support in November and also my vote."

elagatta@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

740-450-6753

Twitter: @EricLagatta