Jenna James will serve as Bellefontaine City Council’s at-large republican seat holder.
The Logan County Republican Central Committee appointed James Friday morning after meeting to interview candidates for the position.
“I’m excited to work hard at keeping Bellefontaine such a great place to live and work,” James said.
James will replace former Bellefontaine City Councilman Allen Hadley who resigned his seat Jan. 6, citing personal reasons.
Hadley had served as an at-large member of the city council since 2011.
James said she’s honored to receive the council seat.
“I’m looking forward to getting more plugged into the political side of things and representing people with republican values … and serving all residents here in town.”
James is an Indian Lake High School graduate and received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin
Her and her husband Patrick James, an active-duty air force pilot, moved out of Bellefontaine for about 12 years, but returned in 2015.
“We came back here to settle down and raise our kids in Logan County near our families, and are thrilled to be back in such a wonderful, thriving community,” James said.
Now, James and her husband own and operate P. Allan Properties, a residential real estate firm, and currently own 52 units to rent.
James also serves as office manager at Midwest Corporate Air.
“I have been interested in local government for awhile,” James explained.
When she returned James said she planned to wait to get into politics for a few years.
“It’s just long enough to start to know people,” she said. “We’re getting reestablished here and getting to know some of the people we knew previously before we moved.”
When she heard about the opening James said she thought “Now is as good a time as any.”
James said she brings the added advantage of a diverse background to the table for Bellefontaine City Council.
“I bring business and accounting experience,” she said. “I also have a history in government contracting. I have a lot of diverse qualities and I’m well-connected in the community.”
James hopes to “further the momentum” she sees in Bellefontaine.
“When we came back we were just blown away at the revitalization of downtown,” she said.
James’s appointed two-year term expires Dec. 31, 2021, at which time she will have the option to run for an elected seat.
There were a total of four interested applicants for the post.
Other applicants for the council position included Mike Vetorino, Scott Sebring and Marcus St. Clair.