Few close contests emerge in Wayne County primary

Elections went about as expected in Wayne County in the May 5 primary. Voter turnout was small, Republicans outnumbered Democrats and few races were close, even in the issues.

One exception was the Northern Sugar Creek Fire District levy, which passed 184-132. And at 58-42 from a percentage standpoint, that wasn’t all that close, either.

It was, though, compared to a similar issue in Southern Sugar Creek. That one passed with 71%, giving the thumbs up. In Baughman Township, another fire levy passed with 72% of the vote.

All local liquor options passed with ease, including Wooster Bell Store on Cleveland Road, including Sunday sales; Mikes Food Market, also on Cleveland Road, and also including Sunday sales; and five issues in Clinton Township, including on-premise, off-premise and Sunday sales, all nearly unanimously.

In primary voting, voters liked billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy to be the Republican nominee for governor. He got 81.1% of the local vote, nearly the 82.5% he got statewide. Amy Acton won the Democratic race unopposed.

In the race for Democratic attorney general candidate, John J. Kulewicz beat Elliot Forhan locally, getting 58% of the votes. Kulewicz got 63% of the vote overall and will face unopposed Republican winner Keith Faber in the fall.

For secretary of state, 60% of locals but 70% of voters statewide chose Robert Sprague over Marcell Strbich for the Republican nominee. Allison Russon got 70% of the vote locally and 67% statewide and beat Bryan Hambley for the Democratic nod.

In the race for treasurer, locals favored Jay Edwards over his Republican counterpart Kristina Roegner by a slim 53-47 margin, which matched the statewide spread. Edwards will face unopposed winner, Democrat Seth Walsh, in November.

For justice of the Supreme Court, Daniel Hawkins got the nod in his uncontested race and will face Marilyn Zayas in the fall. Andrew King got 29% locally, making him the most popular candidate in a four-candidate race for a contested seat. That matched the 29% he got statewide, but it wasn’t enough, and Collen O’Donnell will take on unopposed winner Jennifer Brunner in the fall.

John Husted is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. He will square off with Democrat Sherrod Brown in the fall. Brown faced little opposition and got 91% of the local vote and 89% statewide. Husted was not opposed.

Locally, in the Republican race for U.S. representative (6th District), Michael A. Rulli got 64%, compared to 76% statewide to easily defeat Jullie Kelley. For the Democrats, Elizabeth Kirtley only got 44% of the local vote among six candidates, and only 32% throughout the district, but that was more than enough.

In an eight-person field for the Democratic nomination for the representative to Congress (7th District), Brian Poindexter was a big favorite locally, getting 37% of the vote and more than doubling his closest competitor. The 37% matched his statewide total.

In the 31st District, Republican Al Landis and Democrat Laura Sirot each ran unopposed and will square off in the general election. Same for Republican Meredith Craig and Democrat Brooke Dillon in the 77th. The Republicans will be heavy favorites in the fall.

In the Republican battle for county commissioner, Jonathan Hofstetter got 73% of the vote to easily beat David Kiefer.

Matthew Plybon got 148 votes to 41 for Rick Geething to win the race for member of the County Republican Central Committee, Orrville, Ward 3.