East Central Reporter

The Shelby County Republican Party has slated three candidates to run in two county board and treasurer races.

Erica Firnhaber is running for county treasurer in November’s general election, while David Swits and Gary Patterson are running for County Board in District 7 and District 3, respectively.

Shelby County Republican Central Committee Chairman Brad Halbrook announced the candidates via a press release.

“We were able to slate some very talented and well-qualified individuals to run here in Shelby County,” Halbrook said in the press release. “The candidates we slated will be champions for taxpayers and Shelby County voters will definitely have a clear choice this November between candidates who will stand up for taxpayers or candidates who will advocate for higher taxes and more spending.”

Firnhaber hasn’t wasted any time hitting the campaign trail.

“It is an honor to have a chance to run and to serve Shelby County as County Treasurer,” she said in the release. “In less than 48 hours, my team and I gathered 200 signatures. I am humbled by the willingness of so many to help me get on the ballot and to run for office.”

Firnhaber believes her background in business and management will go a long way in her quest to get the county back on track.

“I will be a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and my pledge to Shelby County voters is to put the interest of taxpayers first,” she said.

Firnhaber currently works at Brown Dental Care in Shelbyville and runs a lawn care business with her two children. She also spent years working in the title and abstract business. Firnhaber attended Florida State University on a golf scholarship, where she majored in business and played on the golf team.

Swits is a farmer from Windsor. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a degree in Agriculture. 

Patterson has worked as a farmer for 40 years and as a John Deere dealership manager for three decades, 14 years as part-owner. He served on the Shelby County Fair Board for 15 years and the Mississippi Valley Equipment Dealer Association for 15 years.