20-year-old becomes youngest-ever Middletown councilman

2nd Ward voters tap A.J. Smith; 3rd Ward voters unseat Tony Marconi.

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 6:31 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — There will be three new faces on Middletown City Council when the new council is seated in January.

Among the new faces are two of the youngest people elected to serve on council and the fact that this may be the last election of ward representatives to council based on a charter change amendment to reduce council’s size.

A.J. Smith ran away with the 2nd Ward race and, at 20 years old, will become the youngest member ever elected to council.

He led in his race against John Soppanish throughout election night on Tuesday, Nov. 3. “I feel really well and I’m excited,” Smith said. “We’ve worked our butts off over the last six months and it paid off today.”

According to unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections, Smith beat Soppanish by nearly a 3 to 1 ratio with a vote of 930 to 365.

“The people wanted change and that’s what they voted for,” Smith said.

In the 3rd Ward, newcomer Joshua Laubach, 27, upset incumbent Councilman Tony Marconi’s bid for re-election. The other youngest member of the council won the race by a vote of 1,881 to Marconi’s 1,675.

Laubach said he has a lot to think about very quickly. “I stood on my principles and what I stand for and why … It feels really good, and I am very blessed to have this support from the 3rd Ward. I won’t take it for granted.”

The final new face on council will be Daniel Picard to represent the 4th Ward, replacing 16-year veteran David Schiavone.

Picard defeated opponent Paul Nagy by nearly a 2 to 1 ratio with an unofficial vote of 1,093 to 567.

Picard could not be reached late Tuesday night for comment.

Incumbent 1st Ward Councilman Jim Armbruster won re-election for a second term as he defeated challenger Gary Barge by an unofficial vote of 1,319 to 830,

“I’m humbled, very pleased and very proud,” Armbruster said.

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