Eaton County commissioners deadlock on District 1 appointment; seat headed to August special election

EATON COUNTY, Mich. — The Eaton County Board of Commissioners on Thursday failed to appoint a successor for the District 1 seat left vacant by Commissioner Tim Barnes, deadlocking 7-7 and sending the matter to a special election in August.

Two candidates were nominated during the Feb. 6 meeting: former commissioner Rob Piersfield and local resident Andy Shaver. The board opened the meeting to an extended public-comment period during which many District 1 residents urged commissioners to appoint Shaver to the seat to avoid the cost of a special election and to reflect recent voting patterns in the district.

The tie vote followed roughly an hour of public comment. Several speakers, including Sherry Ritchie, presented election data from the Nov. 5, 2024, general election and argued the district favored Republican candidates. State Rep. Gina Johnson told the board, “It is clear whom they want,” and said voters in the district had signaled support for Shaver. Multiple speakers said a special election would cost the county roughly $30,000 if held.

Nominee Rob Piersfield said he was “best qualified” for the post because of decades of local government experience, including years in village government and service on county commissions. Andy Shaver said he is a fifth-generation resident of Chester Township and described himself as a community leader and problem solver; he told commissioners he would run in a special election if the board did not appoint him now.

Commissioner Toomey opposed appointing Shaver, citing policy positions the commissioner said could cost the county federal funding. “I cannot in good conscious vote for somebody who supports policies that would cost this county $1,300,000,” Toomey said. Commissioner DeRocia defended Shaver’s qualifications and noted the board already includes several first-term commissioners.

The clerk called a voice/roll call and members stated their choices; the chair declared the final tally a 7-7 tie and said the seat will be filled through a special election in August. A subsequent motion to reconsider the vote was made and seconded; a roll-call vote on that motion also resulted in a tie and no change.

Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd urged residents not to conflate the appointment vote with an unrelated public-safety millage that will appear on a separate ballot in May, warning that rejecting that millage could reduce law-enforcement and prosecutor services.

With no appointment, District 1 will remain unfilled until the outcome of the special election. The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.