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Republicans select Todd Zeiner as new coroner
When it came time to choose a new coroner, the Putnam County Republican Party chose to go with an experienced candidate.
During a county-wide caucus on Saturday, the GOP chose Deputy Coroner Todd Zeiner to replace current Coroner Jon Myers, who is set to resign on Friday, Dec. 8.
“I am honored to have been chosen as the next coroner for Putnam County,” Zeiner said. “My years of service within the Coroner’s Office have deepened my commitment to our community, and I am eager to continue serving and ensuring the well-being of the people of Putnam County.”
Zeiner is currently the chief deputy/investigator in the Coroner’s Office. Overall, he has served the office since getting certified in 2015 under both Dave Brown and Myers. He noted that he had also trained with former Coroner Thomas Miller and longtime deputy coroner Steve Walters.
“When we were talking in the caucus, I said I have trained under some of the best and with some of the detectives for the county who have since retired,” Zeiner said. “So I understand things like criminal investigations and homicides.”
Putnam County Republican Chairman Beau Baird noted that “several highly-qualified candidates” were considered before Zeiner was chosen.
“Todd Zeiner has been an integral part of the coroner’s office, having worked under the last two coroners,” Baird noted. “His extensive experience and dedication make him well-suited to lead and uphold the high standards set by his predecessor.
“The caucus wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to all individuals who stepped forward as candidates,” Baird added. “The wealth of talent and commitment displayed during this process underscores the strength and dedication within our community.”
Myers, who had no part in the actual decision, nevertheless recommended Zeiner to the party as his replacement.
“I am grateful that the Republican Party chose Todd Zeiner,” Myers said. “I had recommended him. I don’t really have any influence, but I had told them that this was the person who had the most experience. He is the person who has worked most closely with me over the last three years and who worked with Dave Brown before me. The county is in good hands with Todd.”
Elected in 2020, Myers has been in office since Jan. 1, 2021.
“It’s come to a time in life that I’m a good bit past retirement age, and I’ve made that decision that it’s time to step down,” he said. “I want to thank the people of Putnam County who voted for me and for giving me this experience and the people at the courthouse and police departments who’ve helped me learn what the office of coroner really was.”
Those responsibilities now fall to Zeiner, who is ready to get to work with the remaining staff that is already in place.
“The staff that we have on board right now, I’m very familiar with their capabilities and their service,” Zeiner said, particularly noting the experience and expertise of Deputy Coroner Ryan Birkemeier. “I letting the caucus know that there was quite a bit of experience in the Coroner’s Office that we have not lost.
Zeiner has also been a member of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department since 2017. He and wife Lisa live on a farm in Marion Township, which is how he spends his time when not actively serving the Coroner’s Office.
With the appointment, Zeiner will serve out the remainder of Myers’ term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2024. He is set to be sworn in at some point late this week.