In 1980 a father-son team ran for two offices in Medina County as Democrats. John Happ, the father, ran for Medina County Commissioner and Greg Happ, his son, ran for Medina County Prosecutor. Both were running against Republican incumbents. John was running against Bob Hale, who had been appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Mark Whitfield who had resigned, and Greg was running against Roger Ingraham, who was seeking is third term in office.
Both Happs won their elections. Their victories led to many more Democratic wins, and two officeholders connected with Greg Happ are still in office today, 28 years later. This record is the Happ legacy in the Medina County Democratic Party.
This is a list of Medina County Democrats elected who were connected to the Happs:
Medina County Prosecutor Dean Holman, who worked as an assistant county prosecutor for Greg Happ and who has served as Medina County Prosecutor since 1988. Total years in office as of 2008: 20
Judge James Kimbler, who worked as a part-time assistant county prosecutor for Greg Happ and who served as Wadsworth Municipal Court Judge from 1986 to 1996, and who has served as a Medina County Common Pleas Judge since 1996. Total years in office as of 2008:22
Judge Judith Cross, who worked as an assistant county prosecutor for Greg Happ and who served as a Medina County Common Pleas Judge from 1986 to 1998. Total years in office: 12
Ferris Brown, whose campaign for Medina County Auditor in 1982 was managed by Dean Holman and who served as Medina County Auditor from 1982 to 1992, and then as Medina County Commissioner from 1992 to 1996. Total years in office: 14
If you add the years that John Happ was in office, (12), and the years that Greg Happ was in office, (4), to the years listed above, you will find that the number of years that these officials served or have served Medina County comes to 84 years. Since Judge Kimbler is unopposed he will serve another six years. If Dean Holman wins re-election, and he is easily the favorite in that race, then he will serve another four years. Adding those years to the 84 means that Democratic officials connected to the Happs will have served 94 years in office since they were elected in 1980.
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The following comment was sent to us by email and we are posting it here:
"How nice of MCDAC to recognize the wonderful work of the Happs! John, Ann and Greg are all exceptional folks and they continue to be an inspiration today. On a personal note, my 14 years on Medina City Council began because of the encouragement and support of the Happs. I will always be grateful for their guidance and friendship."
Roger Smalley
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