Genoa Township trustee Candie Hovarter says she will challenge recently appointed Clerk Rick Soucy in the August Republican primary for the position left vacant after former Clerk Janene Deaton resigned in October, less than a year after taking office.
Deaton cited harassment, township employees intentionally withholding files from her, and calling the municipality “dysfunction junction,” among the reasons for her resignation.
Soucy said Deaton was not forced from her position. “We all were shocked that she resigned,” he said in an email.
The appointment of Soucy to replace Deaton came in a 4-2 vote, with Hovarter and trustee Bill Reiber voting against him. It was after Soucy’s appointment that Hovarter made her announcement.
“I couldn’t understand why Janene was treated so badly,” Hovarter said. “But now, seeing Rick appointed without allowing any other nominations, I understand why. And I don’t like it one bit.”
Hovarter said her intention at the start of the meeting was to appoint someone new to fill Deaton’s seat. The township had solicited applications from residents, but it’s not clear how many, if any, applied. Hovarter said she did not support Soucy for the appointment because appointing a sitting trustee right after a claim by the former clerk that she was pushed out did not pass what she called the “smell test.”
“I feel now like this was the plan all along,” Hovarter said. “I think it was dirty, and the best way to fight it is to run myself.”
Soucy said that after Deaton’s resignation, he was asked by several people if he would consider applying for her position.
“I gave it some thought and asked some people if they would support me if I decided to apply. I had an overwhelming response saying YES, including one who ended up voting against me,” Soucy said. “I then applied by submitting my resume for consideration. The township had a few others who had applied and all board members had copies of all resumes to consider. At the board table no one offered up any motion for consideration. After a LONG pause, Robin Hunt offered up my name and the board voted 4 to 2 to appoint me.”
Hovarter said she will challenge Soucy in the August 2026 Republican primary; the winner will move on to the November 2026 general election.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated at 4:43 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, to include responses from Clerk Rick Soucy.
