File Photo

Billy Whitaker (left) and Kevin Craft, were elected to the positions of second vice chairman and vice chairman, respectively, at Monday’s meeting of the Scioto County Republican Central Committee.

slideshow

Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

With the recent death of long-time Scioto County Republican Committeeman Sylvan Davis, the Scioto County Republican Party Central Committee set about the task of filling two vacancies at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Davis had been vice chairman of the executive committee, and a very large turnout at the event unanimously elected Kevin Craft to fill that position. Craft’s election left his former position of second vice chairman open. Members unanimously chose Billy Whitaker to fill that post.

“I am honored to be in that position,” Whitaker said. “I am proud of what the party is representing and what it’s trying to do.”

Scioto County Republican Party publicity co-chairman Bryan Davis said the local party has continued to grow, and attendance at Tuesday’s meeting was proof of the growth of the party.

The man considered by many Republican party faithful in Scioto County as Mr. Republican, long-time educator Sylvan Davis, 92, of Galena Pike, West Portsmouth, died Jan. 2. He held the Committeeman’s office for 66 years, considered the longest in Ohio history.

“Sylvan was a friend of mine, and I thought an awful lot of him,” Whitaker said. “We had done several business deals together over the years. And I just can’t say enough good about the man. He spent 66 years working for the party and trying to better his community. And that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to do whatever I can within my power to try to make my surroundings in the community better.”

“I’m honored and excited about it,” Craft said. “Moving up into Sylvan’s chair is an honor. And I’m excited to have Billy Whitaker on as second vice chair.”

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com