BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — The race for an open Belmont County commissioner seat being vacated by Commissioner Jerry Echemann, who has announced he will not seek another term in office, is beginning to take shape as three candidates filed with the county election board before Wednesday’s deadline.
Dave Shafer, a Republican and former Belmont County transportation administrator for the Ohio Department of Transportation, just announced his candidacy for the position.
Shafer, a Belmont County native, spent 32 years working for ODOT, where he oversaw highway construction projects, roadway maintenance operations, and transportation planning throughout the county. Prior to joining ODOT, Shafer worked in the private sector in the asphalt and coal industries.
Republicans Dominic DeFelice, co-founder of DeFelice Brothers Pizza and Democrat Franklin C. Shaffer Jr., President of the Belmont County Township Association and a Pultney Township Trustee, round out the field of commissioner candidates.
Franklin (Frank) C. Shaffer Jr. and Dave Shafer are not related and spell their names differently.
Wednesday was the final day for candidates to file for the race.
