Matthew Sexton was surprised twice.

First, when he tied Barb Fisher for Keeler Township treasurer.

Each received 344 votes in the Aug. 7 primary.

Second, when he was informed a drawing determines the victor.

“I thought she was kidding,” Sexton said Monday, recalling he suggested the tie be resolved by rock, paper, scissors.

On Thursday in Paw Paw, Sexton pulled the “elected” slip from a basket, while Fisher extracted “not elected.”

Unless Fisher decides to contest the outcome, Sexton will succeed Bob Millhouse, who didn’t seek re-election. He faces no formal opposition Nov. 6.

Back on the board will be 27-year supervisor William J. Kays, recalled by four votes last year after a controversial decision to switch ambulance coverage.

Kays beat Supervisor Joseph S. True in the Republican primary, 372-327.

Incumbent Carl Davis won the Republican nomination for clerk with 417 votes, to 276 for Mary A. Kinney.

Two GOP nods for trustee went to Carmen Fleischauer, 387; and Tom Landis, 355; with James Kietzer third at 278.

This will be Sexton’s first elective office. He has resided in Keeler for more than 20 years, is married, the father of four children and a Lake Michigan College graduate.

A 2011 motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Since he was unable to continue his community service in emergency

services, Sexton looked for another way to serve.

In 20 years on the fire department, he responded to more than 1,000 calls for assistance in Keeler Township.

He was involved in the fire department and township budget planning.

He works as a product development engineer for a plastic composite company with several medical companies designing the next generation of medical devices and procedures.