4 apply for Sandusky interim sheriff appointment

FREMONT -  Four people want to be Sandusky County's interim sheriff, but only three may get a chance to make their case Oct, 26 when the Republican Central Committee convenes.

Chris Hilton, an independent running for sheriff in the Nov. 8 election, may not be allowed to compete for the interim appointment because he's not a registered Republican. The other applicants include independent Nov. 8 candidate James Consolo, former Fremont police Chief Tim Wiersma and current Clyde police Chief Bruce Gower.

The interim sheriff will fill in for suspended and indicted Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer and would serve through December. Should Overmyer, who remains on the Nov. 8 ballot, win re-election, another appointment would be needed until the incumbent's 43 criminal charges are resolved.

Sandusky County Republican Party Chairman Justin Smith announced last week the party was seeking a Republican voter in the county who is legally qualified to hold the office of sheriff.

"The party prefers a Republican, but we will leave it up to the committee to vote," Smith said. "I think we have a good group of candidates."

Hilton said he will respect whatever decision the party makes, but said he hopes they can "put politics aside" and listen to why he believes he is the best candidate.

"I don't have a problem with having to meet with them," Hilton said. "I hope they give me an opportunity."

Although Consolo is also running for sheriff as an independent, he has been a registered Republican voter.

Candidates Wiersma and Gower both bring experience as police chiefs in Sandusky County, with Gower serving more than 37 years in law enforcement, 20 of those as Clyde's police chief.

Gower previously challenged Overmyer in the March primary election for the Republican nomination. Overmyer easily defeated Gower with 61 percent of the vote.

News-Messenger to host sheriff's race debate on Oct. 27

Wiersma retired in September 2015 after being reinstated from a suspension. He was placed on paid leave in May 2015 following a complaint he destroyed a department memo considered to be public record. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing following a state investigation.

Overmyer was suspended from office by a panel of three retired judges after being indicted on 43 criminal charges Aug. 23, including 38 felony charges. He is alleged to have deceived physicians and pharmacists to obtain prescription medication, stolen drug take-back boxes from area police departments and tampered with records regarding the department's Furtherance of Justice account.

The sheriff did not contest the suspension, but plans to fight his charges in court, according to his attorney Ronald Mayle, of Fremont. Overmyer has a trial date set for March 6 at the Sandusky County Common Pleas Court.

Smith said the local Republican Party still supports Overmyer, and said they "very much hope for an Overmyer victory" in the Nov. 8 election. An Overmyer victory would allow the party to control any appointments to the seat until the next election.

The 7 p.m. Oct. 26 is open to the public at Fremont Municipal Court, Smith said. Each candidate will be interviewed by the party with a vote to appoint immediately following.

Ben Decker, vice president of the Sandusky County Republican Party, said the winner must obtain 50 percent of the vote.

Because there are multiple candidates, Decker said if a majority vote is not reached, the party will eliminate the lowest vote-getter until a candidate reaches 50 percent.

There are 44 members of the Republican Party on the central committee, with 23 members needing to be present in order to hold a meeting.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: CraigShoupNH

Sheriff's debate Oct. 27

The News-Messenger will host a debate Oct. 27 featuring the three candidates for Sandusky County sheriff, including incumbent Republican Sheriff Kyle Overmyer and the two independent challengers, James Consolo and Chris Hilton. The debate is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27, at Fremont Middle School, 1250 North St.