Voters will choose between two candidates for Delaware County commissioner.
Democrat Ryan Grissinger is running against Republican Renee Vaughan. They are running to replace Commissioner Barb Lewis, who is retiring when her term ends this year.
Ohio's general election is Nov. 3, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters also may cast their ballots early at the Delaware County Board of Elections
, 2079 U.S. 23 North Suite 4.The information below was supplied by candidates responding to a questionnaire. The Dispatch only edited responses for length or clarity.
Ryan Grissinger
Age: 50
Party: Democrat
Campaign website: RyanGrissinger.com
Background: My career spans 30 years in business and technology, including eight years as a company executive. Today, I run
Polaris Pixels, a technology and AI consulting firm. Before that, I was chief technology officer for Roof Maxx, where I managed the systems, teams and budgets supporting its growth from a startup to 350 locations. I attended the College of Wooster and Miami University and taught myself to write software. This is my first run for elected office. My wife, Amanda, and I live in Genoa Township. My five kids and four nieces are why I'm running.
Why are you the best candidate? Delaware County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio. People feel it in traffic, in how fast housing is going up, in their property taxes and in whether their community will still feel like home. In my career, I've built systems that had to keep up with rapid growth. I know what happens when growth outruns the plan, and how to stay ahead of it. This year, I've attended dozens of commissioner sessions and township meetings. I've sat down with mayors, trustees, township administrators and county department directors. Delaware County does a lot of things well. But the county, cities, villages, townships and school districts often plan separately, even though their decisions affect one another. And I've met people in communities across the county who feel like nobody is listening. As commissioner, I'll keep doing this work, bringing every community into the conversation, especially those usually unheard. I'll push for everyone to work from the same information, and I'll ask the hard questions before the vote, even when they aren't popular. I've taken no money from any company or developer, and I'll answer only to the people who live here.
What role, if any, should the commissioners take in regulating data centers? And what policies would you advance to that end? My first concern with data centers is water. Clean water isn't a partisan issue, and every family here depends on it. This summer, The Dispatch reported Columbus-area data centers used about 1.2 billion gallons of city water in a year. I'm pro-technology, and I use AI in my work every day. If we add more data centers, I want every benefit with none of the downsides. Any project seeking county support should publish its projected and actual water use and pay for independent testing of nearby water before construction and after it opens. It should pay for the electric, road and water infrastructure it needs, instead of passing those costs to residents. Construction jobs matter, but permanent jobs are few. Amazon's planned $2 billion campus in Sunbury is expected to bring about 50. Any county tax break should match what residents get back, with enforceable guarantees and clawbacks if promises aren't kept. Most of all, these deals belong in the open. That means the real company name from day one, the full math published before any vote, and no nondisclosure agreements that keep officials from talking with the public. I'll oppose any deal that requires one.
What's most important to you when working alongside fellow elected officials and staff? No commissioner can do anything alone. Every decision takes two of three votes, so the job starts with working relationships, and I'll build them with whoever sits beside me, regardless of party. My whole career has been built on trust, and trust comes from doing what you said you'd do. With staff, that starts with doing my homework before the meeting. The people who run county departments know their work better than any commissioner. If I have a hard question, they'll hear it from me before they hear it in a public session. With other elected officials, I'll respect the lines the law draws. The sheriff, auditor, engineer and other county officials are independently elected. Commissioners fund those offices but don't run them, and I'll treat those officials as equals. When I disagree, I'll say so plainly and in public, about the issue and never the person. People can disagree on a vote and still trust each other the next morning.
What actions should the county take to address rising property taxes? By the county Auditor's breakdown, about 75 cents of every property tax dollar goes to schools and the career center. The county's general fund keeps less than 2 cents. Where the county has control, I'm a fiscal conservative, with priorities that protect the services and nonprofits seniors, veterans, families and people with disabilities depend on. My property taxes are high too, but I won't vote against the developmental disabilities and mental health levies to save myself a little each month. They're critical to the people they serve. I'm not here to tell anybody how to vote, but I'm proud to support both. Growth should pay for itself. Every tax break a big company gets is money the rest of us pay or go without. It shouldn't be cheaper for a giant corporation to do business here than for a family to live here, and any county tax break should face serious public scrutiny. Beyond that, the county's influence is its voice. I'll carry what I hear from residents to the school boards, townships and state lawmakers who set most of your bill and advocate for stronger homestead protections so no senior is taxed out of a paid-off home.
Renee Vaughan
Age: 55
Party: Republican
Campaign website: VaughanForDelaware.com
Background: Renee Vaughan is a Genoa Township trustee, president of the Delaware County Township Association and a director on the Ohio Township Association Board. She previously served as vice president of the Delaware County Township Association and on its Legislative Committee. Vaughan spent 15 years as a special education teacher in Indiana and Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in special education from the University of Pittsburgh and principal certification from Slippery Rock University. Vaughan was first elected Genoa Township trustee in 2019 and reelected in 2023.
Why are you the best candidate? What sets me apart is my hands-on experience in local government. For the past six and a half years, I have served as a Genoa Township trustee, gaining firsthand experience with roads and infrastructure, development, zoning, public safety, budgets, property rights and the challenges that come with growth. I’m not starting from scratch. I understand how local government works, how decisions at one level affect another and the importance of working collaboratively to solve problems. Through my service as president of the Delaware County Township Association and as a director on the Ohio Township Association Board, I’ve built strong relationships with local leaders and communities throughout Delaware County. I’ve already been doing the work: listening to residents, balancing competing needs, making difficult decisions and planning for the future. I understand the opportunities and challenges facing our county because I’ve experienced local government firsthand. That experience, knowledge and relationships will enable me to step into the role of county commissioner and get to work on day one.
What role, if any, should the commissioners take in regulating data centers? And what policies would you advance to that end? I have talked with people all across Delaware County, and I’ve heard different perspectives on data centers. Some residents support them, while others have concerns about their impact on their communities. I believe those conversations reinforce why zoning decisions are best made at the local level. I encourage residents to review their local zoning codes and make sure those codes reflect the wishes and character of their community. As a county commissioner, I would support our local governments in making those decisions because they are closest to the residents they serve. Local officials understand the look, feel and character of their communities, and they are in the best position to understand what their residents want for the future. My role as commissioner would be to support and work with our cities, villages and townships, not to override their local zoning authority. I believe good government means listening to residents, respecting local decision-making and working together to manage growth responsibly.
What's most important to you when working alongside fellow elected officials and staff? What’s most important to me is respect, communication and a shared commitment to serving the people we represent. We can disagree on an issue and still work together professionally to find the best solution. My experience in local government has taught me the importance of listening, not just to fellow elected officials and staff but to the residents we all serve. I value the knowledge and expertise that staff brings to their roles, and I believe elected officials have a responsibility to ask questions, understand the facts and make informed decisions. I also believe in accountability and follow-through. When we make a commitment, we need to do what we say we’re going to do. Ultimately, we may have different perspectives, but we share a responsibility to work together, communicate openly and keep the interests of Delaware County residents at the center of our decisions.
What actions should the county take to address rising property taxes? Rising property taxes are a concern I hear from residents across Delaware County, and I believe we need to address both sides of the equation: controlling spending and growing our tax base. As a commissioner, I would focus on responsible budgeting, eliminating waste and making sure taxpayers are receiving value for the dollars they provide. But I also believe economic development can help offset the burden on individual taxpayers. By encouraging responsible business and commercial development, we can broaden the county’s tax base and generate additional revenue without simply asking existing taxpayers to pay more. That growth needs to be thoughtful and aligned with our communities, with infrastructure planned to keep pace. I also believe in transparency about how tax dollars are spent and looking for efficiencies across county government. My goal is to protect taxpayers while maintaining the services residents depend on and building a strong economic foundation for Delaware County’s future.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet the candidates in the Delaware County commissioner race
