Primary ballot in Wayne County features key 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 7th District, the Democrats have eight hopefuls: Anne Marie Donegan, Michael Eisner, Ed Fitzgerald, Keith Mundy, Brian Poindexter, Laura Rodriguez-Carbone, Scott Schultz and John R. Butchko. One will square off in the general election against Republican incumbent Max Miller, who is running unopposed.

For state senator in the 31st District, Laura Sirot is running for the Democrats unopposed. She will face Al Landis, who also is running unopposed.

For state rep in the 77th District, Democrat Brooke Dillon is running unopposed, as is Republican Meredith Craig.

For member of the State Central Committee, man in the 31st District, Jason Stevens will face off with Genera DeMonta on the Democratic side while Gregory Kimble is unopposed among Republicans.

For member of the State Central Committee, woman in the 31st District, Martha Campbell will be unopposed among Democrats, and Kathy Kimble has a free win for the Republicans.

In the race for judge in the 9th District Court of Appeals, Betty Sutton is on the Democratic ballot with Cynthia Curtain running for the Republicans. Both are unopposed.

For the judge of the Court of Common Pleas Probate/Juvenile Division, Latacia Eileen Wiles will run as a Republican, with no Democrat entered.

Jonathan Hofstetter and David Kiefer will square off as Republicans in the county commissioner primary, with no Democratic race being contested.

For county auditor, Russell Robertson will get the Republican nomination without a fight, and no Democrats are running.

Victor B. Schantz will run for member of the County Central Committee among Republicans. Richard Corfman will run for the Democrats. Both are unopposed, so they should meet in November.

In the Apple Creek/Waynedale area, Beverly Bixby and Justin Harper will run for member of the County Central Committee on the Democratic Ballot.

In Baughman Township, a township fire district is on the ballot. If it passes, it will collect $195,049 annually at a rate not exceeding 1.75 mills or $61 for $100,000 of auditor’s market value.

In Cannan Township, a fire and emergency services levy will be decided upon. If successful, the levy will collect $474,138 at a rate not exceeding 3 mills or $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for three years.

In Southern Sugar Creek Township, people will vote on an additional tax to provide fire and EMS. If successful, it will collect $150,847, not exceeding 1.3 mills or $46 per each $100,000 of county auditor’s market value for four years.

In Northern Sugar Creek Township, there will be a 2.9-mill levy on the ballot. If successful, it will collect $151,186 annually or $73 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for two years.