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County parties pick new leaders

Jocelyn Bucaro chosen as Democrats’ chairwoman; David Kern takes helm of Republicans.

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 7:10 AM Friday, May 28, 2010

HAMILTON — There was a political party shake-up on both sides of the aisle in Butler County on Wednesday evening, May 26, with two Liberty Twp. residents now leading their respective groups.

Jocelyn Bucaro, former president of the Change Butler PAC — one of two committees formed in the wake of President Barack Obama’s victory — was elected chairwoman of the Butler County Democratic Party’s executive committee 85-49 over challenger Bruce Carter.

Former party chairman and county Board of Elections Board member Frank Cloud decided not to run for re-election.

At the same time, and just over eight miles to the south, county Republicans turned down Chairman Tom Ellis’ re-election bid, instead giving the nod to Liberty Twp. Trustee David Kern by the decidedly slimmer margin of 108-98.

“I ran because I feel the county is ready to move towards a more competitive two-party election,” Bucaro said, adding grass-roots work will begin soon on establishing regular neighborhood meetings, traveling party meetings and a stronger relationship with Democratic hopefuls.

Kathleen Wyenandt, also of Liberty Twp. and elected president of the Change Butler PAC in March, ran unopposed to lead the party’s central committee, taking over for John Holcomb Jr., who held the position for the past nine years.

Holcomb said he decided to step down to provide others a chance to unify county Democrats. He brushed aside challenges from the county’s other PAC, the Oxford-based Butler County Progressives, led by Donald Daiker, also a former party chairman. Carter was that group’s candidate, Holcomb said.

“A Democratic Party where men who carry their lunch to work with a union card in their back pockets each day surrenders the party to a bunch of college professors is a Democratic Party that I don’t recognize,” Holcomb said. “And apparently, given last night’s vote, a majority of local Democrats feel the same way.”

Other party leadership changes included the election of Ron Wardrup as vice chairman of the executive committee. In the party’s central committee, Glenna Fisher of West Chester Twp. will take over as vice chairwoman, Mark Hardig as secretary and Ed Graves as treasurer.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.

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