The Village of Covington has a Mayor-Council form of government, where the Mayor is elected to a four year term separately from the six village council members and has separate duties defined in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) under Section 733.24. The Village Council is elected to four year terms and must meet the criteria set out in Section 731.12 of the ORC.
Any resident interested in running for elected office must complete their petitions and submit them to the Miami County Board of Elections 90 days before the general election per ORC 3513.263. The next election for Mayor or Council is November 7, 2023 which will include the Mayor (2024-2027) and one Councilmember (2024-2027).
Mayor
- Must reside in the Village for one year prior to election
- No other public office may be held
- May not be employed by the Village
- Does not vote on any Resolution or Ordinance unless there is a tie.
Village Council
- Same requirements as the Mayor
- Vote on all Resolutions and Ordinances.
Mayor
Lee Harmon, Mayor
4 Year Term | First Elected 2023 | 2023-2027
Prior to being elected in 2023 to serve the Village of Covington as the Mayor, Lee Harmon was part of the Covington Police Department since 1994 and became the Chief of Police in 2002.
“I have had the honor of being recently elected to serve as Mayor of this great Village,” Lee Hamon explained. “Under Mayor McCord’s leadership, our Village has grown and changed in many positive ways. Covington is a strong small-town community with great residents, businesses, churches, and non-profits. Covington, being located on US41, US48, and US36 is a crossroads in western Miami County that serves many people from the surrounding counties and allows our businesses to succeed and grow.”
Throughout the four-year term, Lee Harmon has significant plans to help benefit the Covington Community.
“As Mayor, I will prioritize the finalization of many projects including Schoolhouse Park, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, continued strong fiscal management of taxpayer dollars, as well as the safety and security of our residents and visitors,” continued Harmon.”We will continue working to reinvigorate the Downtown district using financial mechanisms including the Community Reinvestment Area and Downtown Redevelopment District that will help Covington continue to be a competitive place to start or expand a business.”
Harmon is a 1984 graduate of Bradford High School and The Upper Valley Career Center and served honorably from 1985 until 1992 with the United States Air Force as a Military Policeman. Harmon was honorably discharged from the Air Force at the end of Desert Storm as a non-commissioned officer.
Chief Harmon studied Criminal Justice at Edison State Community College, and holds the Title of “Certified Law Enforcement Executive” awarded to him by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. Lee is a former member of the Covington Fire Department and Rescue squad, and currently maintains his state certifications as firefighter and emergency medical technician.
Lee is the Vice-president of the Covington Board of Education, and is an active member of the Covington Noon Optimist. Chief Harmon is also an instructor for the Law Enforcement Academy at Edison State Community College.
“I enjoy helping people and doing all I can to make our community a great place to live,” he said of his involvement in the Covington community.
Council Members
Julie Blumenstock, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2022 | 2022-2025
Ms. Blumenstock has been a resident of Covington for 30 years. She formerly worked for Miami County Educational Service Center and West Central Juvenile Detention Facility for many years. Ms. Blumenstock has three children who have been active in Covington football and wrestling and were also members of the Boy Scouts.
When Ms. Blumenstock was asked about her desire to join the Village Council she was quoted as saying.
“I want to help make a difference and contribute to the betterment of Covington. I want to help our remarkable residents and help make Covington as great as possible for all of us who call it home.”
Derrick Canan, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2022 | 2022-2025
Born in Troy, Ohio, Mr. Canan has lived in Covington for 36 years. When asked about why he wanted to serve the Village he stated, “The village has given me so much over the years, many friends and wonderful relationships. From riding my bike as a kid through all of our back alley ways, to learning how to drive on our country roads. From sledding at the park, fishing in the Stillwater river, to being a student athlete through school and enjoying many various clubs, there have been many fond memories. I simply want to give back to the community that has provided me with such a great young life”.
Mr. Canan works for the Municipality of Tipp City as a Journeyman Lineman while also serving as Vice President for the local Union AFSME. He believe this gives him a very unique point of view, which will be valuable to the Village Council in making decisions about the future of the village.
Mr. Canan is a father of four, six if you include the dogs. Along with his wife Heather, they look forward to raising their family in this cozy and safe town that is growing with opportunity and promise. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, rooting for the Chicago Bears, and playing in the worship band for Covington Christian Church.
“Simply put, I care for Covington”.
Steve Blei, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2026 | 2026-2029
Steve Blei just started as a Council Member in the beginning of 2026. His entire biography will be added soon.
Jesse Reynolds, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2020 | 2024-2027
Mr. Reynolds is a 1996 graduate of Covington High School. He and his wife, Shelly, have chosen to call Covington home and raise their five children here. Jesse works at Jackson Tube Service in Piqua as an Industrial Automation Controls Technician, where he enjoys solving problems and seeing projects through to completion.
In his free time, Mr. Reynolds is deeply involved in his children’s activities at Covington High School. He currently serves as the Treasurer of the Covington Music Boosters and can also be found cheering on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Jesse’s initial interest in becoming involved with the Village Council stemmed from his desire to help make Covington a place that future generations will want to call home. He is committed to preserving the traditions set forth by earlier generations that make Covington such a wonderful place to raise a family.
Martin Leistner, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2024 | 2024-2027
Mr. Leistner was born and raised in Covington and spent the first 22 years of his life in the village. After he married, he lived in Greenville and Troy for a total of 4 years before bringing his wife and son back to his hometown.
Mr. Leistner works for the Champaign County Municipal Court as a dual role, compiling the monthly finances and working as a deputy clerk. Being able to see how the judicial system and law enforcement work will help him bring experience of what works well in smaller communities.
Mr. Leistner’s entire family calls Covington home as his parents and both siblings live in town with their families, his wife works at the dentist office in town, and his son, who is just starting his school career. When asked about his desire to join the Village Council Mr. Leistner was quoted saying.
“I have so many memories from my childhood here from patrolling the neighborhood with my friends to spending hours at the park and basketball courts playing sports, I was always outside enjoying the safe and fun atmosphere. Nothing would make me happier then to be able to replicate all the good that this place has given to me for my son and his generation. My family attends Stillwater Community Church and enjoy watching the Packers take down the Bears twice a year. I am heavily invested in Covington and care deeply about our history, what’s happening today, and providing a bright future. Go Buccs!”
Amy Welborn, Council Member
4 Year Term | First Elected 2022 | 2022-2025
Amy and her husband Brent have eight children. Together, they own Well Worn Clothing Co. and Dirt & Devotion. Amy is a Certified Birth Doula and owns A Welborn Baby. They are members of The Covington Chamber of Commerce, where Amy served as the chamber secretary from 2022 until 2024.
Amy serves on the Covington Planning and Zoning Board; the Discipleship Board of Covington Christian Church and is a member of the Covington Newberry Historical Society as well she is a Miami County Master Gardener.
Amy became interested in government while on the Bucc Safety Patrol in 5th grade. This interest continued throughout her education, and she attended Buckeye Girl’s State her senior year.
Thanks to CHS’s Mr. Doug Swartz, her passion for all branches of government continued to be cultivated during high school and beyond. When asked about her desire to be Council Member she was quoted stating ” I believe serving as a public official is a privilege and a great responsibility. I want to help make Covington as wonderful as possible for all those who call it home.”