Gilkey wrote, “I have decided to withdraw from the race. Basically, after seeing what has happened with the auditor in Butler County, I think there is too much liability involved for what I am interested in. I want to avoid that kind of risk.”
Gilkey said he was having second thoughts for the past several weeks about running. He said he had concerns and did not want to impact the family business.
“I thought it would be uncontroversial,” he said. “After talking to (Hamilton County Auditor) Dusty Rhodes, I weighed the pros and cons and decided that’s not what I am looking to do.”
Gilkey was referring to the legal issues and criminal indictment of Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds. Reynolds was recently permitted by the state to remain in office while the court proceedings continue.
Brian Sleeth, Warren County Board of Elections director, said Gilkey made his written withdrawal from the race official early Friday afternoon.
Sleeth said the deadline to officially withdraw from the election passed weeks ago and Gilkey’s name will remain on the May 3 GOP primary ballot for county auditor. However, any votes cast for Gilkey will not be counted, he said.
Gilkey, who has controlling interest in the Gilkey Window Company, was challenging incumbent county Auditor Matt Nolan for the nomination for the office in the November general election.
Other than races for state representative and various committee seats, Warren County Republicans will have one contested office to determine if incumbent County Commissioner Tom Grossmann or former Lebanon mayor Amy Brewer will be nominated as the GOP standard bearer in the November general election.
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