While all 10 applicants for the third seat on the Delaware Board of County commissioners were qualified for the office, Todd Hanks stood above the rest when it came time to choose Kris Jordan's successor, according to the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Delaware County.

Hanks, 42, the county auditor since 2003, handily won the seat in a vote by committee members at their Jan. 8 meeting. Prior to being appointed to the auditor's job, Hanks served on Delaware City Council.

He will join Tommy Thompson and Ken O'Brien, who were elected to the board in November, at their Jan. 12 meeting.

This is the first time in Ohio's history that all three members of a county commission are new, Hanks said. Jordan had two years remaining in his term but was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in November and resigned from the board.

Thompson said he expects the commissioners to name an interim county auditor until the Central Committee can solicit applicants and choose Hanks' successor for the remaining two years in his term.

In her opening remarks before each of the applicants spoke, Diane Chapman, chairman of the screening committee, said "the quality of this group of applicants is so impressive that we would feel comfortable with any of these 10 individuals receiving this appointment."

Each candidate had five minutes to address the more than 110 committee members at the meeting.

In his remarks, Hanks said, "We are at a crossroads in our county's 200-year history. Never has so much responsibility been placed on the shoulders of those chosen to lead. We are faced with an ever-increasing demand for assistance for services, infrastructure and accountability. These issues demand our attention and are needed without a tax increase for the already over-taxed families and businesses in this community.

"As elected officials chosen by our peers we need to lead, not follow ... strive for perfection, not achieve mediocrity ... to help, not hurt ... to represent, not dictate. For too long, local governments have been treating each other like the enemy. It's time the county and local governments begin treating each other as strategic partners."

In conclusion, Hanks drew on his experience working with county and city departments, township officials and state leaders.

"I know the concerns. I know the processes. I know the finances. I know the government structure. I know the Ohio Revised Code. I know Delaware County," he said.

After the vote, Hanks said he was "honored and humbled."

"There were nine other individuals just as qualified as me," he said.

As county auditor and a member of the county's budget commission, Hanks said he is well aware of the economic challenges the county faces but doesn't expect to start "dissecting" the recently passed 2009 budget right way, preferring to hear what his fellow commissioners have to say.

He said he's also "excited with the new, fresh blood on the county commission," and reiterated that all governmental entities in Delaware County need to work together to survive the current economic conditions.

"We are in an era when the unity of government is going to dictate success," he said.

The other nine candidates for the commission seat were Christopher Acker, Raymond Blinn, Gerry Cotter, Roger Faulkner, John McDavid, Jerry Paul, Johnny Regula, John Watkins and Mike Wiens.