Incumbents lose seats in Republican primary for Butler County offices

Butler County has a new public administrator and a new coroner.

Newly elected public administrator Jeffrey Darnell, 56, started getting phone calls and text messages telling him he won, while he and his family were out picking up his campaign signs Tuesday night.

Jim Akers is looking forward to getting back to work as coroner.

Akers said, “I actually had laid down to go to sleep when I heard the numbers.”

Darnell, a former western district commissioner, and insurance and real estate agent, beat incumbent Sharron Payne, 73, by 356 votes.

He attributes his victory to his “great team.”

He said, “I am totally honored the people of Butler County are giving me this” chance.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity,” he said, adding “I’ll give them 110%.”

Also on the ballot were Cheryl Baker, 61, with 1,986 votes and deputy public administrator Marjorie Shipman, 60, with 1,270 votes.

Akers is looking forward to getting back to work as coroner.

He served as coroner from 2009-2016, when Moore beat him. Akers beat Moore this time around by 30 votes.

“I was overwhelmed by the kindness of the people who came out to vote,” he said.

Also on the ballot were the Eastern District Commissioner, won by Butch Anderson with 2,725 against Ross DeGaris with 1,828 votes; and the County Law Enforcement tax, which passed with 65.9% of the votes.