“Warren County appreciates the elected officials who retired at the end of 2024. Their dedication to Warren County provided years of excellent service to our constituents through a fiscally responsible lens,” said Warren County Administrator Martin Russell. “Several newly elected officeholders were trained within their respective offices and will carry that tradition forward. We are excited to see each officeholder’s unique take on their position and to continue Warren County’s collaborative spirit amongst elected officials and their staff as we serve the residents and businesses of the county.”
Warren County is staunchly Republican, and one thing all new officeholders have in common is their GOP affiliation.
A new sheriff in town
Longtime chief deputy and U.S. Army veteran Barry Riley is the new Warren County sheriff.
It’s his first time holding a public office, succeeding former Sheriff Larry Sims who retired after 15 years leading the department.
One thing many county residents may have noticed is that Riley issued a snow emergency Sunday and Monday, in sharp contrast to his predecessor. While state law gives authority to the county sheriff to declare snow emergencies, Sims had not issued one since 2012, saying he felt they created more confusion and can be misused and misunderstood.
This is in sharp contrast to his predecessor, who never issued them, saying
Riley, 52 is a Lebanon High School graduate with a plethora of law enforcement training and certificates who is nearing completion of a criminal justice degree at the University of Cincinnati. He and his wife are parents of a grown son and live in Morrow.
New clerk of courts
Warren County Republican Party Chairman Breighton Smith is a man of many firsts. He’s the first African American to be selected GOP chair, the first African American to be elected to a countywide office in Warren County and is the first African American to serve as Clerk of Courts for the county.
Smith, a former Lebanon City Councilman, replaces longtime Clerk of Courts James Spaeth, who stepped down after seven terms.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and law degree from Northern Kentucky University. He and his wife live in Lebanon.
New county engineer
Kurt Weber was elected Warren County engineer after working for 21 years as chief deputy engineer.
Weber succeeds Neil Tunison, who served the county for 38 years, including 28 and county engineer.
With the winter storm, Weber now oversees crews from his office that have been working to clear snow from 268 miles of streets.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He and his wife and three children reside in Hamilton Twp.
New county treasurer
Another political newcomer is Treasurer Randy Kuvin, who was elected to his first public office in November.
A CPA and partner at Flagel Huber Flagel, which has offices in the Dayton and Cincinnati area. Kuvin replaces Barney Wright, who retired from office.
Kuvin, who earned his undergraduate degree from Miami University, also serves as treasurer for the GOP of Warren County.
He and his wife are parents to two grown children and live in Hamilton Twp.
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