4 min read
Jan 21, 2025
By Logan Andrew | Editor-in-chief, FreeWire
Address change and resignation spark questions about ethics, election rules, and the future of Bucyrus City Council President Kurt Fankhauser.
Bucyrus City Council President Kurt Fankhauser has changed his voting address and resigned from his position as the Ward 2A representative on the Republican Central Committee (RCC). These decisions come amid a voter fraud complaint filed by citizens alleging that Fankhauser improperly used a dilapidated property at 616 Prospect Street as his registered residence.
The Complaint and Background
Angie Rayborn and Gary Miller filed a complaint with the Crawford County Board of Elections, claiming that Fankhauser did not genuinely reside at 616 Prospect Street but instead used the property to meet candidacy and voting requirements. The complaint drew parallels to the 2010 case of former Bucyrus Mayor Dan Ross, who resigned after being found in violation of residency rules by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Fankhauser faced a similar challenge three years ago during his 2022 campaign for the RCC seat. At the time, the Board ruled in his favor, citing insufficient evidence that he did not reside at the property. His defense rested on the argument that he intended to renovate the house. However, according to the new complaint, the property remains uninhabitable and has not been repaired since the 2022 hearing.
Critics argue that Fankhauser’s actions are especially troubling in light of Bucyrus’s housing crisis, where affordable housing options are scarce. Several residents have reportedly offered to purchase or rent the Prospect Street property, but Fankhauser declined, raising questions about his motives for leaving it vacant.
Fankhauser’s Statement and Hearing Cancellation
In response to the complaint, Fankhauser told FreeWire:
“The Board of Elections already ruled on this exact issue in 2022 unanimously in my favor. This is just political rhetoric by the same group of people that are always trying to discredit me ahead of an election.”
While this statement reflects his stance, the scheduled hearing has since been canceled due to Fankhauser’s decision to change his address and resign from the RCC. This move renders the complaint moot, leaving the new evidence and witness testimonies unpresented. Witnesses had reportedly been prepared to testify from both Prospect Street and his actual residence on Michigan Avenue, potentially complicating his defense.
Implications for Local Politics
Fankhauser’s resignation from the RCC does not affect his role as Bucyrus City Council President, which remains unchanged. He also remains eligible to run for other positions, including Ward 2 council member, council member at-large, council president, or city treasurer — possibilities that have been speculated about in recent months.
His resignation creates a vacancy on the RCC, requiring the committee to appoint a new representative for Ward 2A. Should Fankhauser seek to rejoin the RCC, he would need to pursue a different seat, further complicating his political trajectory.
Community Reaction
The community’s response has been divided. Many residents view his resignation as a pragmatic decision to avoid a contentious hearing, while others see it as an acknowledgment that defending his actions was no longer viable. The use of a vacant property for political purposes has drawn criticism, with some questioning whether it reflects the leadership and accountability expected from an elected official.
While Fankhauser’s decision to change his address and resign from the RCC sidesteps immediate legal challenges, it has not resolved the broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and enforcement of residency rules. As the RCC prepares to fill the vacancy for Ward 2A, Bucyrus residents will continue to debate the implications of this controversy and its impact on local governance.
FreeWire has reached out to Kurt Fankhauser for additional comment and will update this article with any response.
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