Krissi Fussner Announces Independent Run for Ashland County Commissioner in 2026
ASHLAND COUNTY — Longtime animal advocate and nonprofit leader Krissi Fussner has officially announced her candidacy for Ashland County Commissioner in the November 3, 2026 election, running as an Independent.
Fussner, best known as the founder and president of Mercy’s Door Pet Rescue, Inc., brings more than a decade of leadership, community service, and budget management experience to her campaign — along with a deeply personal commitment to honesty, transparency, and public trust.
“I’m not a politician,” Fussner said. “I’m a mom, a wife, an advocate for animals, and an advocate for all people. Every voice matters, and I promise you — every voice will be heard.”
Fussner founded Mercy’s Door Pet Rescue in 2012 after volunteering for several years at the Ashland County Dog Shelter, where she also served as kennel manager and later deputy dog warden. Her hands-on experience working with stray and neglected animals sparked what became a lifelong mission.
“What began as a couple hours a day walking dogs soon turned into becoming one of the three original founders of No Pawz Left Behind,” she recalled. “We saw the need to help the stray dogs of Ashland County with any and all medical needs because nobody else was helping.”
Over time, Fussner branched off to create her own nonprofit rescue organization. Mercy’s Door has since become a well-known voice for dogs on “death row,” often focusing on the rehabilitation and rehoming of pit-bull-type dogs that might otherwise be overlooked.
“A lot of dogs who find themselves as strays will come into the shelter system but don’t make it out alive without the help of a rescue,” Fussner said. “That’s where we come in — we give them a second chance.”
Though she grew up in Medina County, Fussner’s family purchased property north of Savannah, where they built a home on more than 90 acres. “I loved to come out to the country and visit,” she said. “I loved the small-town feeling where everyone knew your name.”
She moved to Ashland in 2004 after meeting her husband, John, with whom she’ll celebrate 21 years of marriage this February. The couple has two children — Gracie (20) and Isaiah (18).
Fussner said her experience working in animal rescue opened her eyes to broader community issues — including mental health, homelessness, and veterans’ affairs — which she says deserve far more attention and advocacy at the county level.
“These are not just abstract issues — they’re real challenges affecting real people in our community every day,” she said. “I want to help lead the change to make sure those voices are represented and those needs are addressed.”
Her campaign emphasizes three core principles:
Honesty: “Honesty between a community and its commissioners is the foundation of good government.”
Transparency: “Allow for an open government, where every decision is made with transparency.”
Trust: “A promise to serve with integrity and ensure that county government works for the people it represents.”
Running as an Independent, Fussner says she wants voters to know her values go beyond party lines.
“It doesn’t matter to me the letter behind a name — (R) or (D),” she said. “What matters is the core foundation of a candidate — what they believe and who they are as a human. There are great people and radical people on both sides. I’m not a fan of labels.”
Fussner’s slogan — “A Voice for All – People Over Politics” — reflects her commitment to bridging divides and ensuring that all corners of Ashland County are represented.
“Ashland County is ready for change,” she said. “We need leadership that not only hears the concerns of its citizens but takes action to address them. Whether you live in Northern Ashland County or Southern Ashland County — you deserve to be heard and recognized. I see you, Savannah. I see you, Bailey Lakes. I see you, Loudonville and Perrysville. You matter.”
