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UPDATED: Perales wins place on county commission, again

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XENIA — Rick Perales is returning to the Greene County commission.

Unofficial final election results show the current Republican state rep besting his opponent 54,495 votes to 29,706 votes, or 64.72 percent to 35.28 percent.

Democrat Colin James Morrow, Fairborn’s deputy mayor, challenged Perales in the race. Morrow, 52, ran on his military, civilian, and city council experience, as well as his promise to bring fresh ideas and different leadership to the board.

The 61-year-old Beavercreek native representing the 73rd House District won’t be a new face in Greene County.

Perales served as mayor of the City of Beavercreek from 2002 to 2003, then as Greene County commissioner from 2005 until he was elected to the Ohio House in 2013. He will be term-limited at the end of his fourth term.

The campaign may be over now, but Perales has said he is ready to get to work. In a candidate questionnaire from this newspaper, he listed the major issues facing the county: the budget, county jail, infrastructure, social services, and COVID-19.

Perales has also said he will use his military background — and his knowledge of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — to make an impact on the board and in the county.

Perales served in the United States Air Force, and also as commander of the 788th Civil Engineer Squadron on base. He was the community representative during BRAC 2005, and while in the House has led legislative efforts focusing on veterans, military members and their families. Perales said he also advocated for locating the Space Command Headquarters at WPAFB. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2010.

“I will continue to work closely with base and DoD officials to understand their issues and opportunities, as well as with state and local officials to ensure we continue to be an attractive location for related missions and jobs,” Perales previously told this newspaper.

The former — and now future — commissioner will take office Jan. 2, 2021, replacing outgoing Commissioner Bob Glaser.

Results are unofficial until they are certified by the Secretary of State after an official canvass done three weeks post-election. Greene County currently has reported 2,271 outstanding absentee ballots and 2,256 outstanding provisional ballots.

Morrow
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/11/web1_Morrow-1.jpgMorrow

Perales
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/11/web1_Perales-1.jpgPerales

By Anna Bolton

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Call 937-502-4498 or follow Anna Bolton, Reporter on Facebook.