County

Miami County Commissioner

Full term commencing 1/1/2027

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county commissioner is one of three officials who run county government, set its budget and approve its contracts.

Ted Mercer is the incumbent (Miami Valley Today, Dayton Daily News).

Candidates Compare by issue

Bill Whitten

Democratic

Retired iron worker · Miami County

The gist

Opposes the county's cost figures for a new jail
Opposes data centers as currently proposed
Supports preserving agriculture and the county's rural character
Supports job creation and opportunities for small businesses
Pledges fiscal responsibility and transparency in county government

More about Bill

View sources (2)

Opposes the county's cost figures for a new jail
Whitten running for Miami County Commissioner
News coverage · Miami Valley Today · miamivalleytoday.com
“I think there’s $30 to $40 million of waste in there. … I don’t agree with the numbers they’re (Miami County officials) coming up with.”
Opposes data centers as currently proposed
Whitten running for Miami County Commissioner
News coverage · Miami Valley Today · miamivalleytoday.com
“as proposed, I’m against them”
Supports preserving agriculture and the county's rural character
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“supporting agriculture and preserving the county’s rural character”
Supports job creation and opportunities for small businesses
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“promote job creation and economic opportunities for residents and small businesses”
Pledges fiscal responsibility and transparency in county government
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“emphasizing fiscal responsibility and transparency in county government”
Whitten running for Miami County Commissioner
News coverage · Miami Valley Today · miamivalleytoday.com
“One thing I pride myself on is being honest (and) transparent.”

Ted Mercer

RepublicanIncumbent

Owner/President, Mercer Group, Inc. · Miami County

The gist

Pledges to seek property tax relief with state lawmakers
Supports continued scrutiny of county purchases and spending
Supports stronger zoning rules for large developments like data centers
Proposes a new animal shelter and expanded JFS center
Proposes cleaning up a former salvage yard to expand recycling

More about Ted

View sources (2)

Pledges to seek property tax relief with state lawmakers
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“he would continue working with state lawmakers to pursue property tax reforms that provide relief while protecting essential local services”
Supports continued scrutiny of county purchases and spending
Mercer seeking reelection as Miami County Commissioner
News coverage · Miami Valley Today · miamivalleytoday.com
“Miami County deserves steady leadership, responsible spending, and practical results.”
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“That requires continued scrutiny of government purchases and expenditures”
Supports stronger zoning rules for large developments like data centers
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“including stronger regulations for large-scale developments such as data centers”
Proposes a new animal shelter and expanded JFS center
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“constructing a new animal shelter, expanding the Job and Family Services Center”
Proposes cleaning up a former salvage yard to expand recycling
Miami County commission race on November ballot: Election 2026
News coverage · Dayton Daily News · daytondailynews.com
“cleaning up a former auto salvage yard on North County Road 25A to expand solid waste and recycling operations”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.