Paid for by Citizens for David Coons
David J. Coons, Republican candidate for Darke County Commissioner, believes the future of Darke County depends on finding the right balance between growth and preserving the qualities that make the county a special place to call home.
A lifelong Darke County resident, Coons is a graduate of Versailles High School and has built his personal and professional life around family, agriculture, business, education, and community service. He and his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth (Heitkamp), have been married for 15 years. Together, they are raising six children with another on the way. Family is central to David’s life and shapes his commitment to preserving the opportunities and values that make Darke County a great place to raise a family.
Coons believes his education, professional background, and years of community involvement have prepared him to serve as county commissioner. His experience spans agriculture, business, economic development, electric utilities, and education, giving him insight into the opportunities and challenges facing a rural community.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University, with a minor in Agricultural Systems Management. While preparing for a career in winemaking, he studied Viticulture and Enology at Des Moines Area Community College and Rend Lake College. He later earned a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Leadership from Bluffton University.
Professionally, Coons spent nearly 16 years at The Winery at Versailles, ultimately serving as winemaker. For the past seven years, he has worked as an Agriculture Insurance Account Executive with Phelan Insurance Agency. These roles have given him firsthand experience with agriculture, entrepreneurship, business operations, and risk management, as well as an understanding of the challenges facing businesses in a rural community.
His community leadership includes serving as president of the Darke County Community Improvement Corporation Board, which oversees Darke County Economic Development. He is also active in the Darke County Chamber of Commerce, serving on its Agriculture and Legislative committees.
Coons has nearly nine years of experience with Darke Rural Electric Cooperative (DREC) in Greenville. He serves as District 2 Trustee on the DREC Board of Trustees, an elected position, and has earned multiple certifications in executive board leadership. In June, he began his term as the elected Regional 4 Director on the Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange Board, representing Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia.
He was also selected to serve on the Director Advisory Group (DAG) for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in Washington, D.C., completing his term in 2024. These roles have given him experience in cooperative governance, board leadership, and issues affecting electric cooperatives and the rural communities they serve.
His experience with the electric industry is especially relevant as Darke County faces growing concerns over transmission grid expansion and data centers. Residents have questions about what these projects could mean for their farmland, communities, health, and future. Coons believes those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. He understands the importance of asking difficult questions, demanding transparency, and carefully considering the long-term consequences before decisions are made. He believes residents deserve a voice in decisions that could have a lasting impact on the county they call home.
Coons wants to protect what makes Darke County special while navigating the challenges ahead. For him, that means respecting the county’s agricultural roots, rural way of life, and the people who make this community strong. He believes the county’s future should be shaped by thoughtful decisions that put its residents and their long-term well-being first.
He also values the working relationships he has developed through his professional and community involvement. Coons has an established working rapport with all three current county commissioners and hopes to build on those relationships through open communication, mutual trust, and a willingness to discuss difficult issues. He believes effective county government requires listening to residents, considering different perspectives, and keeping the county’s longterm interests in mind.
Agriculture remains an important part of Coons’ life. He is a member of the Darke County Farm Bureau and the Ohio Poultry Association, a lifetime member of the National FFA Alumni, and a supporter of FFA and 4-H. Through his role with Phelan Insurance, he supports approximately 60 to 70 Junior Fair members each year at the Darke County Junior Fair Livestock Sale. His commitment to agricultural education is also personal, as his own children participate in the North Star Rabbit Habbit 4-H Club.
Education and youth development are other ways Coons contributes to the community. He serves as an adjunct instructor at Edison State Community College, based at the Greenville Campus, where he has taught agricultural economics and agricultural finance. He previously served as treasurer of Versailles Cub Scouts Pack 79 and is a member of the Versailles Area Pride and Progress Association.
Faith is an important part of Coons’ life. He is a parishioner of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Osgood, where he serves as an usher and previously served on the Men’s Sodality. He continues to deepen his faith by attending men’s retreats, talks by priests and other religious speakers hosted by the church, and Holy Hours.
As a conservative Republican, Coons identifies as pro-life and supports agriculture and rural communities, Second Amendment rights, and traditional moral and family values. He views public service as an opportunity to put those values into practice by contributing to his community and helping preserve what matters to local families.
For Coons, serving as Darke County Commissioner would be an opportunity to bring his experience and commitment to the county he has called home his entire life. He hopes to help Darke County navigate future challenges while maintaining the strong community ties and rural traditions that have shaped its identity.
As a husband, father, and lifelong Darke County resident, Coons is guided by his faith, family, and traditional conservative values. He wants his children and future generations to have the opportunity to build a life, raise a family, and be part of a strong community. He would be honored to earn the trust and vote of Darke County residents and serve as their county commissioner.
