GREENFIELD — The Republican candidate for Hancock County Recorder hopes her more than two decades of experience in local government can carry her into office next year, while the Democrat vying for the position wants to give voters a choice in the mostly conservative county.
Marcia Moore, the current Republican county clerk, and Democrat Rita Johnson will face off in the Nov. 6 general election for Hancock County Recorder — the official that maintains public records for the county. The current recorder, Republican Debra Carnes, is running unopposed in the election for county auditor.
After spending the past two terms as clerk, Moore said moving to the recorder’s office would be a smooth transition if elected. Moore, who also worked as a deputy clerk in Greenfield for 16 years, said she already understands government finances, budgets and the county’s payroll and claims system.
“Those would be learning curves that I wouldn’t have to hurdle, so to speak, because I already know how to do that,” she said.
As county recorder, Moore said she would continue filing documents electronically, expand the amount of documents available for purchase online and preserve the county’s historic documents using technology.
With 24 combined years in city and county government, Moore said she’s eager to keep working for Hancock County citizens.
“I enjoy being a public servant,” Moore said. “I think that is my opportunity to serve. It’s a job, but I also feel like it’s something I can do to support my community, by being involved in the community.”
Ever since Johnson moved to Hancock County in 2014, she noticed the lack of Democratic participants in the county’s primary and general elections. Johnson, who unsuccessfully ran as a Democratic candidate for county council in 2016, said she wanted to give local voters a chance in the race for county recorder.
“It’s frustrating that it happens every time an election comes around,” Johnson said about uncontested races. Nine Republicans are running unopposed for a Hancock County office on the November ballot.
Not only will Johnson give voters a choice in the race, but she’s also capable of leading the office after working 14 years as a deputy clerk in Huntington County, she said. Being a county recorder also seems to run in Johnson’s blood — her mother and sister have both previously served as recorders.
If elected, Johnson said she would work to digitally preserve county records.
Johnson also serves on the Hancock County Sheriff Merit Board, the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen Board and is a member of Greenfield Kiwanis.
“I just want to continue working with the community and doing what I can,” she said.
