Longtime banker Carl Bowen has been appointed to represent the Republicans on the Lawrence County Board of Elections.

At a special meeting of the GOP central committee on Monday, Bowen and Matt Ward, director of development for Ohio University Southern, were vying for the post previously held by Harriett Scragg. Scragg, who went on the board two years ago, did not seek re-appointment.

Bowen won over Ward 36 to 21 with two undecided.

“I think both would have made a good person on the board of elections,” Ray Dutey, Republican Party chief, said. “Both are well-qualified. I think Carl will do a nice job.”

Currently Bowen is a regional manager for City National and is a lifelong resident of Lawrence County. He is a member of the Chesapeake Lions Club, on the advisory board for Eastern Lawrence County Hospice of Huntington, president of the Board of the Rome-Proctorville Cemetery, member of the board for Huntington Boys and Girls Club, board member for the Tri-State Area Boy Scouts of America, participant in the Lawrence County Shop with a Cop and member of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

“I feel honored and privileged to be chosen by my party to represent them on the board of elections,” Bowen said. “I have pledged to do the best job that I can possibly do to support their confidence in me.”

The central committees of both parties are made up of representatives from each of the 84 precincts in the county. Voters choose their representatives at their party’s primary. However neither party has full representation at this time. There are 65 precincts filled on the Democratic side and 80 on the Republican.

While each party nominates whom it wants as its representative on the elections board, the secretary of state makes the actual appointment. That is expected to happen later this month with Bowen’s term to start in March.

There are two Republicans and two Democrats on the board. Normally the terms are for four years with a Republican and a Democrat up for re-appointment every two years.

However, the state now wants those terms to expire in odd years so Bowen’s term will only be for three years. If he is re-appointed at that time, his second term goes back to four years.

In January, Ironton attorney Mark McCown was re-appointed by the Democrats to the elections board. His term will also be for three years.

McCown and Bowen will join Ironton attorney and Democratic Party chief Craig Allen and Ironton attorney Randy Lambert, a Republican, on the board.

All board members make $5759.18 a year and are eligible for insurance.