Bergman victorious in Auglaize

WAPAKONETA - Republican incumbent John Bergman handily beat his independent challenger, Duane Stienecker, in the race for Auglaize County commissioner.

According to unofficial results Tuesday night, Bergman received 20,304 votes, or 84.1%, while Stienecker received 3,838 votes, or 15.9%.

Bergman will have served as a county commissioner for 24 years by the end of 2020, and with his latest victory, received another four-year term.

He commented Tuesday night that he was "very elated" that voters had chosen to trust him for another four years. He looks forward to continuing to work with the other elected officials in the county, adding he was very honored and humbled. Bergman also wanted to thank his family, saying, "My campaign is their campaign."

A St. Marys native, Bergman received an associate degree in electronic engineering and technology from ITT Technical Institute in Dayton. He has described himself as a lifelong farmer and has previous experience serving as a township trustee and as part of the Auglaize County Soil and Water Conservation District. He has also served on the Joint Township District Memorial Hospital board and was part of the organization that would later expand to become the United Way of Auglaize County, a group intended to offer assistance to vulnerable citizens.

Bergman had said he intends to maintain the fiscal responsibility he felt he encouraged over his previous terms, and he looks forward to the construction of a new Ohio State University Extension Office, which would house the other agriculture-related departments as well.