New Medina County GOP director Melissa Augustine named to board of elections

MEDINA — Melissa Augustine will serve as the newest Republican board member on the Medina County Board of Elections and as executive director of the Republican Party of Medina County. Last week, the executive committee of the Republican Party of Medina County held a vote for each role, and Augustine was selected for both. She said people have served in both capacities in the past. "There is a lot of overlap in both positions," she said. "Certainly, the continuity is helpful in learning the network in Medina County and expanding." Augustine has prior experience as a Hinckley Township trustee. She is taking over Nancy Abbott's role at the board of elections since her term is ending. Abbott was on the board of elections for three years and previously served as a Hinckley Township trustee, county recorder and clerk of courts for Medina Municipal Court. "Nancy did an incredible job," Augustine said. "She has served Medina County and the Republican Party in various roles, has done an incredible job and has paved the way for young Republicans like myself." Abbott said her experience serving on the board of elections was great, and she hopes she had a positive effect on the board. "I have to give all the credit to the staff, the full-time, the part-time and the 900 people that worked the last election," she said. "They're the ones that make the election work, and I just love Medina County." Secretary of State Frank LaRose will soon swear in Augustine to a four-year term on the board of elections. The first meeting she takes part in as a board member will likely be in March. "I'm really excited to meet (LaRose) formally and move forward in the Republican Party of Medina County," she said. Frank Chestney previously served as the county's Republican Party's executive director, Augustine said. The executive director is responsible for overseeing specific committees like ones that focus on events, policy or bylaws. "The headquarters is fairly new for the Republican Party," she said. "We are really in our infancy, so it's a role that will help develop the future of the party in Medina County." Augustine said she is looking forward to meeting more people in Medina County, specifically young voters. "A lot of independent and Democratic voters voted Republican for the first time in November," she said. "I'd like to continue to give those people a voice outside of their vote and see what they would like to see the Republican party look like as we move forward collectively." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.