Primary ballot in Holmes County features high-profile races

It’s not a presidential election. It’s not even November. The May primary ballot, however, has some big names on it.

Everyone in Ohio has a chance May 5 — if they haven’t already — to vote for gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates.

Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is looking to win his way back to Washington and will run against Ron Kincaid in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Jon Husted will run for the Republicans while Libertarians Jeff M. Kanter and William B. Redpath will square off for a spot on the ballot in November.

In the race to replace outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine, the Republicans have a trio of duos in the race: Heather Mill and Stuard Moats, Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton, and Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley. On the Democratic side, Dr. Amy Acton and David Pepper are running unopposed. Don Kissick and James L. Mills will run unopposed for the Libertarian spot.

Also at the state level, Elliot Forhan and John J. Kulewicz are squaring off in the Democratic race for attorney general. Keith Faber will be the candidate for the Republicans.

For auditor of the state, Democrat Annette Blackwell is running unopposed, as is Republican Frank LaRose.

Bryan Hambley and Allison Russo are running for the Democratic nod for secretary of state. Republicans Robert Sprague and Marcell Strbich will square off. The Libertarians should advance Tom Pruss in the race for secretary of state.

In the race for state treasurer, Republicans Jay Edwards and Kristina Roegner will face off. Seth Walsh is running unopposed for the Democrats.

For justice of the Supreme Court, Democrats Marily Zayas and Jennifer Brunner will run for spots while Daniel R. Hawkins, Andrew King, Jill Lanzinger, Ronald Lewis and Colleen O’Donnell will run for the Republicans.

For representative to Congress in the 12th District, Troy Balderson will be the candidate for the Republicans while Jerrad Christian, Daniel Crawford and Jason Reynard are squaring off on the Democratic side. Steve Perkins will get the nod for the Libertarians.

For state senator in the 19th District, Janet Wagner is running for the Democrats unopposed. She will face either Beth Lear or Ryan Rivers, who are running in the Republican primary.

For state rep in the 98th District, Democrat Scott Grund is running unopposed, as is Republican Mark Hiner.

For member of the State Central Committee, man in the 19th District, Joydeep Gupta will face off with Ryan Wynia on the Democratic side while Gary Jame is unopposed among Republicans.

For member of State Central Committee, woman in the 19th District, Mary C. Rugola Dye will be unopposed among Democrats. Five Republicans are running: Janine Baker, Andrea Dalton, Melanie Leneghan, Cathi Nelson and Rebecca Nourse.

In the race for judge in the 5th District Court of Appeals, Matt Donahue, Jeff Furr and Matthew George are on the Republican ballot, joining Sean Warner, who is running for Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations, and Thomas Lea, running for Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile.

Also on the Republican ballot, Tom Abraham and Dave Hall will square off in the race for county commissioner while Jackie McKee and Wes Schmucker are unopposed in the race for county auditor and member of the County Central Committee, respectively.

Democrats will have nobody to vote for judge in the 5th District Court of Appeals, Court of Common Pleas, county commissioner or county auditor.

Millersburg East will vote on a local liquor option for the sale of wine, mixed beverages and spirits on Sunday by Rodhe’s Market. Mechanic Township will decide a similar option for Millersburg Mart LLC at 1333 state Route 83, for both a C-1 liquor permit and Sunday sales.