Crofoot’s seat to be filled before primary
Staff writers
Republicans will have a convention July 23 to select a replacement to serve the remainder of Dave Crofoot’s term as commissioner.
Crofoot, who was running for renomination in the Aug. 4 primary, died Friday at his home.
He had been visibly unwell for months, with medication on his desk at public meetings. But he still attended 25 of 32 meetings in person and three by teleconference this year. He also personally pushed for the Record to schedule a candidate forum for the August election and intended to attend.
Commission vice chairman Kent Becker replaced Crofoot as chairman and will lead the commissioners until the end of the year.
“As you can see, our chair is empty today,” Becker said at Monday’s meeting of commissioners, gesturing to a gavel and sound block placed before Crofoot’s empty chair. “I think that everybody that sat in this room over the last year saw the struggles that Dave was having with his health and recognized that. And for the most part, he was here.
“He was a dedicated servant of the county, a colleague of ours, and a friend, and he will be missed.”
Commissioners voted to close county offices and give four hours of paid time off to employees so that they could attend Crofoot’s services, which as of Tuesday night had not been scheduled.
They also requested a proclamation from the governor’s office to fly flags at half staff on the day of Crofoot’s service.
Replacing Crofoot is largely in the hands of the Republican Central Committee, which announced Tuesday that the convention scheduled for 7 p.m. July 23 in the Santa Fe Room of Marion Public Library. The governor will formally appoint the committee’s nominee.
Applications for the position are being accepted. Forms and information packets are available at the county clerk’s office online or in person and from party chair Rose Davidson or vice chair Cynthia Fleming.
Completed forms are due in the county clerk’s office by noon July 22.
Only registered Republicans living in the district are eligible. And those eligible must receive a nomination and second from Republican precinct committee members at the convention.
Crofoot, 78, died after being stricken at his home in the 800 block of S. Roosevelt St. in Marion.
Marin ambulance was called at 11:02 a.m. because he was not feeling well. He stopped breathing after ambulance attendants arrived.
They, Marion firefighters, and an ambulance supervisor helped administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the ambulance rushed him on an emergency basis to St. Luke Hospital, where he died.
In addition to serving as a commissioner since 2019, he was co-owner and an executive with the Western Associates advertising specialty firm.
Under law, committee members must be convened within 21 days of County Clerk Ashley Herpich notifying Davidson of his death, creating a need to fill the vacancy before the primary election.
Remaining candidates in that election are Florence-area farmer Tom Britain, former commissioner Dan Holub, sheriff’s wife Amy Soyez, and county lake improvement district president Greg Wyatt. Farmer Randy Eitzen is unopposed on the primary ballot for the Democratic nomination.
Crofoot’s district consists of Centre, Doyle, Fairplay, Gale, and Wilson Townships along with Marion South precinct and both Florence precincts.
Although surrounded by areas within the Fourth District, Marion North precinct is part of the Second District instead.