A 52-year-old Columbus business owner could become the next Bartholomew County commissioner.
Tony London received 43% of the vote in the GOP primary for Third District commissioner, representing Jackson, Wayne, Ohio, Sandcreek and Rockcreek townships. It is the seat currently held by Rick Flohr.
“I’m excited and ready to get to work,” said the owner of the Tony London Company. “I know I’m currently unopposed for the general election, but I plan to campaign as if I have opposition. I’m ready for anything that happens.”
Coming in second with 40% of the votes was Dan Arnholt, 74, who retired a number of years ago as the Chief Executive Officer of Bartholomew County REMC.
Arnholt emphasized he has never been a politician, and only ran for commissioner after several community leaders asked him to run.
“I was depending on my 60 years of community service,” Arnholt said. “I did a little campaigning, but nothing heavy. And due to the COVID situation, I didn’t get to as many meet and greets as I had hoped.”
Arnholt described running for office as a good experience.
JoAnne Flohr, 69, received about 17% support, which was less than half the votes than each of her opponents received.
Flohr, who is married to Rick Flohr’s cousin, admitted she was “terribly disappointed” by the results – and largely blames COVID-19 for her lack of support.
“It stopped us from talking to people, so nobody had a feeling where they were in the race,” Flohr said. “You couldn’t go door to door, or have events.”
While Flohr, who raises horses, said she thought she had something different to offer voters, she said it’s impossible to get support when you can’t get your name out to the public.
“Will I run again?” Flohr asked. “Probably not.”
Current commissioner Rick Flohr, who succeeded Paul Franke as commissioner in 2012, confirmed in January that he would not seek a third term.
Although Rick Flohr, 70, retired as co-owner of Product Engineering Co. (PECO) in 2014, he’s been back working for his company for the last 18 months, as well as maintaining his farm. He calls his work with PECO something he loves, adding that by not seeking a third term, he will have more time to spend with his wife.
