VOTE

Eureste files as candidate for Defiance County commissioner
TODD HELBERG @cntoddhelberg thelberg@crescent-news.com
Crescent News: Jan 19, 2026

A recent Defiance City Council member has filed his petition as a Democratic Party candidate
for county commissioner in the May primary election.

Joe Eureste, with multiple terms as a council member and Defiance City Schools board member,
filed his candidate petition last week with the Defiance County Board of Elections. Eureste, who
was ousted as an at-large council member in a five candidate race for three seats in November, is
seeking the seat held by Republican Dana Phipps.

Party primaries will be held in May, if needed, with the race for a four-year term to be decided in
November.

Eureste is a retired General Motors employee who worked at the Defiance plant for 50 years
before retiring in 2022. He was employed as a benefit plans representative, representing active
and retired workers.

“I decided to run for county commissioner because I am a strong believer and supporter of public
service,” stated Eureste who ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner years ago. “I am also
running for county commissioner because I feel it is important for the voters in Defiance County
to have a choice in voting for a viable candidate. I feel too many times candidates at the county
level have fewer challengers. In challenged elections candidates are forced to be more open as to
why they are running and will need to explain what is important to them in serving the people.

“If elected, I will bring 20 years of city oversight experience to the commissioners’ table from
serving five terms as an at-large council member for the City of Defiance,” he added. “In the 20
years that I served, starting in 2002, I have voted many times to support the needed positive changes that have helped Defiance become a vibrant, progressive growth community and a great
place to live.”

He has set three goals, if elected: support improvement of the “business and community
climate,” “keep an eye on expenditures to make sure we are spending our resources wisely” and
to “meet with all city, village, township and county leadership to discuss their needs and wants.”

A 1972 graduate of Defiance High School who attended Defiance and Adrian colleges as well as
Northwest State Community College, Eureste lives in Defiance and is married to wife, Jennifer.