Joe Gildehaus of Marthasville has won his bid for the Republican nomination for the office of Warren County Presiding Commissioner.The presiding commissioner is the head of the three-person commission that governs Warren County. It is the only commission seat that is elected by all county voters.The Republican nomination for the seat was decided during primary elections Aug. 7.Gildehaus was challenging incumbent Presiding Commissioner Roger Mauzy for the position. Gildehaus won the election by a margin of more than 1,900 votes, with about 65 percent voting in his favor.“It was an exciting night. I’m honored and humbled to get to this position,” said Gildehaus. “I cannot thank enough my wife, and my family, and my team who helped me get to this level.”Over 6,600 people cast ballots in the presiding commissioner race. The election results are unofficial until the Warren County Clerk’s office completes a standard review of ballots, but Gildehaus’ lead was decisive throughout the night.Gildehaus was ahead in voting from nearly all of Warren County’s voting precincts. The margins were closer in and around Warrenton, where Mauzy had some narrow victories. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Gildehaus’ large ballot numbers in many other areas of the Warren County.The race for presiding commissioner isn’t quite over, however. Gildehaus will face off against Democratic nominee David Hubbard in the November general election. Hubbard was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.The new presiding commissioner, whoever he may be, will be sworn into office at the end of December.Leading into the November election, Gildehaus will continue to campaign around the county. If elected, he said he will focus on working together with local communities to guide growth in the county.“Growth is coming. We need to make sure the growth is in a positive manner,” Gildehaus said.

Joe Gildehaus