Miami County Prosecutor Tony Kendell is seeking re-election next year.

Kendell, who was appointed to the position before being elected last year, announced his bid for re-election outside the county Safety Building on Dec. 12.
“I have two passions in my life. One is my family and the other is prosecuting criminals,” he said.

“I have dedicated my professional life to public service. It has been both my honor and my privilege to serve the citizens of Miami County. Over the last two plus decades I’ve successfully convicted over 6,000 felonies in the common pleas court and during my tenure as county prosecutor have researched and written dozens of legal opinions.”

Kendell faces a Republican primary challenge from retired Municipal Court Judge Mel Kemmer of Troy. Kemmer, who announced his bid earlier, filed his petitions Dec. 12 with the county Board of Elections.

Kendell is a graduate of Wright State University with a degree in economics and economic theory. He received his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1996.

He worked in the prosecutor’s office as an assistant prosecutor and first assistant prosecutor before being appointed prosecutor by the county Republican Central Committee in 2013 following Gary Nasal’s resignation to become Municipal Court judge. Kendell was elected to complete the remaining time on the term in November 2014.

Kendell, 52, resides with his two children in Springcreek Township, Piqua.

More campaign information is available on a campaign website, reelectkendell.com.

The deadline for filing for the March primary is Wednesday, Dec. 16. Also filing petitions late last week was Greg Simmons, who is running as a Republican for county commissioner for the seat held by Richard Cultice. Cultice earlier filed petitions and announced his intention to run for re-election. Simmons said he would announce formally this week.

Dave Duchak filed his petitions to run for sheriff late last week. He now is chief deputy. Steve Cooper of Tipp City, a retired sheriff’s captain, filed his petitions for sheriff last week. Chris Anderson, a retired Troy police captain, also has announced his plans to run for sheriff.