PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — The elected Auditor of Pike County announced on Sunday that she would not seek re-election next year.
Kayla N. Slusher won office in 2019 and took over in what some have called a tumultuous time. Pike County has a population just shy of 30,000 but is ranked as one of the top three poorest counties in the state. As Auditor, Slusher is responsible for overseeing the county’s finances.
“It is with gratitude to announce that I will not be running another term as Pike County Auditor. In 2018, I decided to take a different career path, and run for public office. After two very challenging elections, I took office March 11, 2019, and began my new career,” Slusher said in a statement. “My staff and I faced many challenges our first couple years in office, but, we worked twice as hard to overcome them. As a team, we set goals to achieve within the four-year term and I can say we have exceeded that already. One of my biggest accomplishments while serving Pike County has been rebuilding relationships with the other government offices, and building trusting relationships with the taxpayers. Along with building relationships, the Auditor’s Office and Commissioners have worked hard bringing our County Budget from no year-end carryover in 2019 to over a $4 million carryover in 2021. There were tough decisions to be made, but they were necessary in order to get Pike County financially stable.”
Slusher said the decision to not seek re-election was not one that came easy.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for me to make, but I feel it is best for my family at this time. My family and I have faced many obstacles over the past two years and I feel it is a necessary change in order for us to live happy and healthy lives.”
The 34-year-old became the subject of a state investigation in April. The Guardian has obtained public records from the Pike County Court of Common Pleas that outline a criminal probe. In a request for a special prosecutor, it was alleged that Slusher was being investigated for possible misuse of funds. As of Monday, the case was still open and the investigation was pending.
Slusher said she would finish her term, which expires next year. So far, no one has announced their candidacy for the position.
