CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The showdown for Sheriff in Ross County has taken another turn with Election Day still several months away.
Isaac Oberer, a former deputy sheriff, is running for Sheriff of Ross County as an independent candidate, challenging the long-time incumbent, Sheriff George Lavender. The race has been marked with controversy and colorful public displays, including allegations of political retaliation. Now, claims of election interference are starting to mount.
Oberer’s firing and subsequent actions by the Sheriff’s administration have raised questions.
Oberer is making some personal financial moves for his retirement portfolio, according to a Sheriff’s office source, and as a result, the state agency behind the law enforcement retirement fund, Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), has sent paperwork to Oberer’s former employers. According to the state, all paperwork has been returned to them except for one: Ross County Sheriff’s Office. The paperwork was sent more than six weeks ago.
The source within the Sheriff’s administration claims the office is intentionally delaying Oberer’s paperwork, required by PERS. The delay concerns documentation from Oberer’s two stints at the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, paperwork that the source says takes only minutes to complete. Oberer served a number of years in Ross County starting in early 2018 and returned after a tenure as a Sergeant in Circleville before being fired earlier this year by Lavender.
The Oberer campaign would not release a statement about the allegations when reached on Wednesday, with a spokesman only saying, “The voters know what is happening, they know what the Sheriff is doing is wrong, and the voters will make the right decision in November. The voters know; they know.”
The Sheriff’s office said the issue lies with the county auditor. The county auditor confirmed on Wednesday that his office does not have the paperwork and that it sits with the Sheriff’s office.
The controversy surrounding Oberer’s candidacy reached a peak on Memorial Day when a person dressed in a large chicken costume appeared on Bridge Street in Chillicothe. The “Chillicothe Chicken” held a sign with Sheriff Lavender’s face and the message, “George Lavender is a chicken,” accompanied by the hashtag #LetHimRun. The spectacle, including a loudspeaker playing “The Chicken Dance,” drew smiles and photos from passersby, including workers from nearby restaurants. Sheriff Lavender was spotted observing the scene from a nearby parking lot. The stunt was an apparent jab at Lavender’s recent attempt to have Oberer removed from the ballot.
Oberer, a lifelong Ross County resident, Marine veteran, and former police sergeant, has garnered significant support across social media, where residents have expressed their desire for change in Ross County. He submitted his petition to the county board of elections earlier this year to challenge Lavender in the upcoming November election.
“Today I was fired by Sheriff Lavender from my position at the Ross County Sheriff’s Office,” Oberer stated after his termination in March. “The cited reason – meaning put on paper – was that I was challenging him in the 2024 election for the position of Sheriff. While I do not agree with this decision, I hoped that a public leader would accept a healthy challenge.”
Since announcing his candidacy, Oberer has faced numerous challenges, including a narrowly avoided removal from the ballot. Last month, a township trustee, James Hatfield, lodged a challenge with the Board of Elections, alleging Oberer failed to meet state qualifications. The challenge, filed through local attorney and former Chillicothe Chief of Police Keith Washburn, claimed Oberer did not provide proof of holding the rank of Sergeant or higher for more than two consecutive years. However, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose intervened, allowing Oberer to remain on the ballot — for now.
Residents supporting Oberer have cited rising crime rates and issues at the Ross County Jail, including numerous inmate deaths and drug overdoses, as reasons for seeking new leadership. The FBI Uniform Crime Index shows a disproportionate ratio of cases opened to cases resolved in Ross County in recent years.
As November’s election approaches, the choice between continuing with the status quo under Lavender or supporting Oberer represents a significant crossroads for the community. The ongoing public displays, like the “Chillicothe Chicken,” and the allegations of political retaliation have only heightened the stakes in this pivotal race for Ross County Sheriff.