John Langenderfer
Who: Greene County Republican Party treasurer
Age: 31
Work: Attorney at Surdyk, Dowd and Turner
School: Beavercreek High School (1998), Miami University (2002, political science), University of Dayton School of Law (2005)
Family: He plans to marry Katie Adams, an occupational therapist at Miami Valley Hospital, in April. His father, Bill, is a retired colonel who was at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and mother Andi is a retired teacher who worked at Beavercreek’s Ferguson Middle School.
John Langenderfer said he brings youth and integrity to the treasurer job for the Greene County Republican Party.
At age 31, Langenderfer is about half the age of many party movers and shakers. But that didn’t stop him from running unopposed for the party treasurer job formerly held by ex-Greene County Treasurer James W. Schmidt.
“I’m certainly excited to be a younger member,” Langenderfer said. “I hope to use my position as treasurer to attract more young people to the Republican party.”
Langenderfer is well aware of the legal issues that preceded Schmidt’s resignation for misdemeanors connected to abusing public office.
“When I’m working at my law office, I’m working for the clients of my law firm,” said Langenderfer, who works at Surdyk, Dowd and Turner in Miamisburg. “When I’m serving the party, it’s on my own time. The party expects me to operate with integrity and openness.”
Langenderfer’s firm has represented various government entities in Greene County and he has worked on cases in the county regarding police officer misconduct, civil litigation and employment.
“I have represented Greene County in both federal and state matters,” Langenderfer said. “I don’t think there’s any conflict of interest. My affiliation with the party is private whereas representing entities is a completely different situation.”
He stressed that his politics do not influence his job and vice versa.
But he did address the 10 “Welcome to Greene County” signs put up by the party at a cost of $2,800, which was approved without a needed vote. That led to a political tussle at the last party meeting in which party chair Marilyn Reid announced she’d stop down in May. The signs have been taken down.
“I just need to work with the party to enforce some new integrity,” Langenderfer said. “There are issues within the Greene County Republican Party, like any other party.
“Those are family issues that we need to clean up.”
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