Mark Davis running for commissioner to bring positive change to Marion County

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·4 min read
Mark Davis, left, is shown with his son Spencer on the night of the primary election on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. He won the primary to claim the Republican Party nomination to compete for a seat on the Marion County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 8 general election. Davis, the former Marion County Coroner and a retired physician, is running against Democratic Party candidate Kathy Masters in the general election.

Mark Davis ran on a platform of wanting to bring change to Marion County during the Republican Party primary election for the county board of commissioners and his message was effective enough to advance to the general election this fall.

"I think the voters said, 'We want change,' and I'm going to be that change," said Davis, age 59. "I want to work for Marion. I have no other agenda than to work for the voters of Marion County."

Davis, the former Marion County Coroner who served in that role from 2018 to 2021, is a retired physician who practiced medicine locally from 1992 to 2020. In addition to his work as a physician, Davis has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, and EMS instructor over the course of his career. He served as team physician for the Marion Blue Racers indoor football team and has served as an expert medical witness in court cases.

In the Republican Party primary election held in May of this year, Davis won a tight race to defeat incumbent County Commissioner Ken Stiverson by just 56 votes. The final tally showed Davis with 2,769 votes to 2,713 votes for Stiverson. Marion City Councilman Jason Schaber finished with 1,121 votes.

Davis is now facing Democratic Party candidate Kathy Masters in the Nov. 8 general election. Masters ran without opposition in the May primary election, collecting 1,789 votes.

Election 2022:Kathy Masters 'enjoying the journey' in Marion County commissioners race

Following the closely-contested primary election, Davis said he took some time off from campaigning, relaunching his effort on July 4 during the Marion County Fair.

"That was really encouraging. I ran into a ton of supportive people at the fair," Davis said. "It was good to hear from people and have the chance to listen to their concerns, ideas, and opinions on what they think needs to happen here in Marion County.

Davis said the "core issues" that he believes need to be addressed in Marion County include the following: economic development, the ongoing opioid epidemic, renewable energy development, consolidated fire and EMS services, affordable housing, county infrastructure, communication between the county commissioners' office and the general public, and greater collaboration between Marion County government and the City of Marion.

"I'm willing to look at any issues that the city and county can collaborate on," Davis said. "I think what you'll see from me is a willingness to stretch my hand across Center Street, shake the hands of council and the mayor, and say it's time to put behind whatever baggage there is and to move forward. I think that's what the voters want. And if we can save some money, I'm all about saving the taxpayers some money."

In regard to taking his message to the community, Davis said he's tried to make himself as visible and as available as possible to Marion County residents during the course of this campaign.

"You could articulate a beautiful plan, a pristine framework of what you want to try to accomplish in office, but there has to be that relatability with the people," Davis said. "There are some politicians here who say to put out as many signs as you can because Marion County is a 'sign community.' I've taken that to heart. Matt Bayles was one of them. He put out 635 signs when he ran for sheriff.

"Knocking on people's doors, going to the fair, going to the Popcorn Festival, going to golf outings, the NASCAR night at the Lions Club - all very important to meet people where they are. I've tried to go to as many township trustee meetings as I possibly can. There's a lot of ground to cover and a lot of people to meet and hear from in Marion County."

Davis said he believes that making positive changes in communities like Marion County is the key to seeing positive change on a much wider scale.

"Change has to be a grassroots thing. If we want to change Marion, Columbus, Washington, the world, it's got to start in places like Marion all over the country," Davis said. "It's got to start at the grassroots level everywhere. That's what I truly believe is going to change our world."

For information about the Nov. 8 general election, go to the Marion County Board of Elections website www.boe.ohio.gov/marion or go to the Ohio Secretary of State's website VoteOhio.gov.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

Meet Mark Davis

Mark Davis is a Republican Party candidate for a seat on the Marion County Board of Commissioners. He is a former Marion County Coroner and retired physician. He said his goal is to use his experience to be a force for positive change in Marion County. Davis has two children and resides in Big Island Township.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Mark Davis running to bring positive change to Marion County