Kathryn Whittington announces Re-Election for Ashtabula County Commissioner Seat

A desire to continue to serve the residents of Ashtabula County is why Commissioner Kathryn Whittington announces her re-election campaign for the Ashtabula County Commissioner seat in 2024.

Kathryn Whittington, is the first Republican woman to be elected to one of the Ashtabula County Commissioner seats.  She believes in Ashtabula County’s future and will continue to advocate to move it forward.  

Kathryn Whittington has been successful in many different areas during her second term of office.  Kathryn has been working diligently since being elected on the drug epidemic locally, statewide and nationally. Kathryn continues to lead the efforts for Ashtabula County in the Opioid Litigation.  Since 2022, $338,195.00 has been brought in by the settlements and additional annual payments are expected over the next 16 years.   These monies have been used to support law enforcement’s fight against the opioid crisis in Ashtabula County.

Kathryn Whittington’s love for literacy and libraries brought together county stakeholders to create a Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storybook Trail in the southern part of the county. Kathryn continues to work on the expansion of the Storybook Trail with stakeholders to bring additional learning and family experiences while visiting the trail.

Kathryn Whittington led a group of stakeholders in the creation of the Ashtabula County Manufacturing Institute Summer Camp (ACMI).  ACMI is a collection of week-long STEAM-to-career summer camps. Campers will relate their educational, hands-on projects with the tours of the local manufacturing facilities. Industry professionals will present to the campers about the different career options that are available right here in Ashtabula County. The goal of the camp is to expose young people to in-demand manufacturing careers and explain how these in-demand jobs connect to STEAM concepts students enjoy.

Kathryn Whittington currently belongs to various county, state and national committees and organizations including; the National Association of Counties (NACO); County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO); G.O. Community Development Corporation, OneOhio Foundation Board and the OneOhio Region 13 Board of Directors.  

Kathryn Whittington serves as the Chair to the CCAO-Human Services Committee, as a Vice Chair for the NACO-Health and Human Service Committee and as a chair for the Region 13 OneOhio Board of Directors. Kathryn is the former Chair and past Interim Executive Director of the OneOhio Foundation. Kathryn assisted in leading the foundation, that was created to disburse 55% of the Opioid Settlement back into Ohio’s communities.  

Kathryn continues to advocate for Ashtabula County and has helped build relationships, bridging the gap with our state and federal legislators.   

Kathryn and her husband, Steve (a local business owner for over 28 years) are Richmond Township residents and are dedicated to this county.  This decision comes with the full support of her family and friends.

Kathryn Whittington graduated from West Geauga High School and has a degree in Business Management.  She has been serving children and families for over 25 years and for the past 20 years here in Ashtabula County.  Kathryn is also a 2018 graduate of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute and a graduate from the National Professional Development Academy in Leadership.

Kathryn’s selfless dedication to Ashtabula County will allow her to continue her efforts in addressing the mental health and drug addiction issues our county faces. She will remain a voice of advocacy and leadership to the seat.