BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Crawford County Democratic Party has ushered in a new era of leadership. Former Crestline Village Councilman Allen D. Laferty has been elected as the new party chair, succeeding Wanda Sharrock, who held the position since 2019.

Laferty, a Crestline High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran, has a long history of service and community involvement. With a career spanning 43 years as a home builder and renovator, Laferty served on the Crestline Village Council from 2015-2022 and has been a member of the Crawford County Central Committee since 2022. His commitment to community development is further evidenced by his decade-long tenure on the Habitat for Humanity board, during which he supervised the construction of four homes in Crawford County.

In addition to his professional and political roles, Laferty is an active member of the Crestline United Methodist Church, where he participates in local, district, and national conferences.

Joining Laferty in leadership are Pat Hargis, vice chair; Seth Bennett, secretary; and Bob Guinther, treasurer. Hargis, a retired science educator and lifelong Democrat, has previously served as both vice chair and secretary. Bennett, a proud Ohioan and independent healthcare provider, is eager to make a difference in his first year on the Central Committee. Guinther, a retired teacher and farmer, continues his role as treasurer, a position he has held for over two decades.

The Crawford County Central Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the county engineer’s office on Whetstone Street in Bucyrus. The July meeting has been rescheduled to July 12 to prepare the group’s county fair booth. All Democrats and independents are invited to attend.