Warren County Commissioners Dan Hampson and Hubie Kluesner, who have served in public office for 11 years, say they don’t intend to run for reelection in 2020.

Hampson and Kluesner represent the northern and southern districts of Warren County, respectively, on the three-person commission that oversees the county government. They were both first elected to office in 2008.

“It will be 12 years (next year), and I’ll be 70 years old. It’s time to retire,” commented Hampson.

Both of the commissioners have previously made comments about this being their last term in office. They confirmed their intentions to The Record last week, saying they would not enter the 2020 commissioner races when filing opens in February.

Hampson said he might have considered stepping away before previous elections, but felt there was still important work he could do as a commissioner.

“Paving roads, replacing and fixing bridges. The infrastructure. Planning and zoning is a big issue,” Hampson commented. “It’s a moving target that is one that can better the quality of life in this county. (But) you have to weigh the freedoms of people against the adverse effects to neighbors. That’s a big responsibility.”

Hampson said he has heard from several people interested in running for the Northern District seat.

Kluesner said 12 years in office was the target he set for himself when he was first elected in 2008. Now he has reached that goal and is ready to step away.

“I’m going back and spending a little more time on the farm,” Kluesner said. He also had  advice for anyone interested in serving on the commission.

“It is not a part-time job. You can put as much time into it as you want. It demands quite a bit of your time,” Kluesner commented.

Whoever gets elected to the commission will serve alongside Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus, who was elected to his first term in office by a county-wide vote in 2018.

Members of the Warren County Commission serve four-year terms.

Gildehaus said he has learned a lot from his fellow commissioners, and is grateful for the remaining year he can continue to work with them.

“I enjoy it. I learn something every day. Something changes every day,” Gildehaus said. “I admit, we butt heads at times. ... But that’s all part of it.”

Candidate filing for the two county commission seats will be open from Feb. 25 to March 31, 2020. Candidates will register under their preferred political party and then compete for party nominations during the Aug. 4, 2020, primary elections.

If candidates from multiple parties are running, they will compete for office during the Nov. 3, 2020, general elections.