Former Lorain Councilman, Statehouse hopeful takes job in city Auditor's Office

LORAIN – A former Lorain Councilman and current candidate for the Ohio House is now the Chief Deputy Auditor for the city. Dan Nutt, who until the end of last year represented Lorain's 4th Ward, was hired by the city as Chief Deputy Auditor effective Jan. 2. Nutt said Auditor Anita Harper called him just before Christmas and offered him the position she had previously held. Harper was sworn in as City Auditor on Dec. 5 to serve the unexpired term of Joe Koziura, who retired. She took office Dec. 8 and will serve through 2027. The new role does not mean Nutt is suspending his bid for the Ohio Statehouse, he said. Nutt is running for the Ohio House District 53 seat currently held by State Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst who is term-limited. Nutt faces former commissioner Matt Lundy in the Democratic primary in May. The winner of that election will face Amherst Republican Brad Lacko to represent the district in November. Harper said she chose Nutt for the role as someone who was already familiar with the city's budget and would be a good fit for the office. If elected to the Statehouse later this year, Nutt plans to resign from the auditor's office, as he feels trying to keep both positions could mean shortchanging his focus on either role. The opportunity to work in the city means Nutt is still able to serve his community, he said, making his new role akin to Council. "To be able to have the largest positive impact is really the goal," he said. "I do look at this as an opportunity to see exactly the other side. It's one thing to be out there and spend the dollars, but you have to be able to know where those dollars are coming (from) and have that understanding." He will be paid $95,347 per year. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.