RICHLAND COUNTY — A contested Republican primary for Richland County commissioner, three school tax issues and a citizen-driven question on wind/solar projects will highlight the local May primary ballot.
The filing deadline was Wednesday at 4 p.m. with the Richland County Board of Elections for the May 5 primary election.
Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of partisan candidates’ petitions by Feb. 17.
Republican challenge for the Richland County Board of Commissioners
Incumbent Richland County Commissioner Cliff Mears of Mansfield faces a challenge from David Morgenstern of Lexington in the Republican party primary
It’s a rematch between the two from the 2022 party primary when Mears earned 62.84 percent of of the vote — 8,693 to 5,141.
It’s the ninth time Morgenstern has sought a county commissioner seat, running every two years since 2010.
The winner will face Democrat Mark Kaufman, a political newcomer, in November’s general election.
Three countywide incumbents face no challenge in the primary and will be uncontested in November unless independent candidates file later this year.
Republican county Auditor Pat Dropsey, Democratic Common Pleas Court Judge Phil Namoff, and Republican Probate Judge Kelly Badnell have all filed for an additional term in office and no one filed for the seats in the opposing party’s primary.
Three school districts seek tax approvals
Voters in the Lexington Local School District and Madison Local School District will see income tax issues on the primary ballot. The Ontario Local School District is asking voters to approve a bond issue
In Lexington, voters will see a 1.5-percent income tax request. The levy would generate $9.15 million in annual revenue, according to a resolution passed by the school board.
In exchange, Treasurer Jason Whitesel said the district will not ask voters to reapprove an existing property tax levy due for renewal in May, which generates around $2.7 million each year.
He also said district leaders intend to stop collection of a different $2.7 million property tax levy at some point, though it doesn’t expire until in 2034.
In Madison, voters will be asked to approve a 1.5-percent earned income tax for five years.
The board also voted on a resolution to stop collecting a 7.5-mill property tax if the income tax levy passes.
The 7.5-mill property tax was first approved by voters in November 2023 and generates about $2.94 million annually.
The new income tax levy would generate about $6.27 million each year.
In Ontario, residents will see a 5.35-mill, 30-year bond issue on their May ballots. If approved, the bond issue would generate $40.3 million to renovate the district’s existing facilities.
The May tax issue would cost property owners approximately $187 for every $100,000 of county auditor’s market value.
If the levy is approved, Ontario will receive an additional $19 million from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, an agency that (among other things) manages state funds for construction and renovation of public K-12 schools.
Solar and wind referendum ballot language to be decided Tuesday
The bipartisan Richland County Board of Elections meets Tuesday at 10 a.m., a meeting that includes deciding the ballot language for a solar and wind referendum for the primary ballot.
That’s because Richland County voters will have a say on the future of large wind and solar power creation facilities in the county.
The Richland County Board of Elections in September approved a citizen-initiated petition to put the issue on the May 2026 ballot.
A local coalition of residents and organizations — Richland County Citizens for Property Rights and Job Development — circulated petitions in hopes of obtaining enough voter signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld said in September the board unanimously validated 3,380 signatures — 60 more than were needed to put the issue on the ballot.
A total of 3,320 voter signatures were needed, representing 8 percent of county voters who participated in the most recent gubernatorial election.
The group launched the drive after the county Board of Commissioners on July 17 unanimously approved a ban on”economically significant wind farms, large wind farms and large solar facilities” in 11 of the county’s 18 townships.
These 11 townships are Bloominggrove, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Mifflin, Monroe, Perry, Plymouth, Sharon, Troy and Weller. Trustees in all of those townships asked commissioners for the restriction, which is one of the reasons county commissioners cited in making the decision.
Marilyn John faces opponent for statehouse in November
Incumbent state Rep. Marilyn John (R-Shelby) has filed petitions to seek another term for the Ohio House’s 76th District. She is unopposed in the primary.
Colton Stidam of Mansfield has filed petitions to run in the Democratic primary. He would face John in November if his petitions are validated.
Ohio Secretary of State announces statewide candidate petitions
In Columbus, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday the list of partisan candidates who submitted petitions to run for statewide office in the primary election.
“Public service is a patriotic calling, and I want to recognize these candidates for having the courage to get in the arena, as Teddy Roosevelt described it,” LaRose said in an email.
“Our team at the Secretary of State’s office will now work with the county boards of elections to carefully review every petition signature and determine whether each candidate qualifies to appear on the primary ballot.”
The following candidates filed petitions by today’s deadline to run for a statewide office as a partisan candidate:
For U.S. Senate:
- Sherrod Brown (D)
- Jon Husted (R)
- Jeffrey M. Kanter (L)
- William B. Redpath (L)
- Ron Kincaid (D)
For Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio:
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert A. McColley (R)
- Amy Acton, David Pepper (D)
- Heather Hill, Stuart Moats (R)
- Casey Putsch, Kimberly C. Georgeton (R)
- Donald C. Kissick, James L. Mills (L)
- Renea Turner, Jalen Turner (R)
For Attorney General of Ohio:
- Keith Faber (R)
- John J. Kulewicz (D)
- Elliott Forhan (D)
For Secretary of State of Ohio:
- Bryan Hambley (D)
- Marcell Strbich (R)
- Allison Russo (D)
- Robert Sprague (R)
- Tom Pruss (L)
For Auditor of State of Ohio:
- Frank LaRose (R)
- Annette Blackwell (D)
For Treasurer of State of Ohio:
- Seth Walsh (D)
- Kristina D. Roegner (R)
- Jay Edwards (R)
For Ohio Supreme Court:
- Marilyn Zayas (D)
- Daniel R. Hawkins (R)
For Ohio Supreme Court:
- Jill Lanzinger (R)
- Jennifer Brunner (D)
- Colleen O’Donnell (R)
- Ronald Lewis (R)
- Andrew King (R)
Next Steps:
Bipartisan county election officials will begin reviewing the petitions to determine whether each candidate met the signature requirement to be placed on the ballot.
Upcoming Deadlines:
- February 17, 2026: Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of partisan candidates’ petitions. The Secretary of State must certify partisan candidates for the May 5 primary election.
- February 23, 2026: Write-in candidates for the May 5 primary election must file declarations of intent.
- February 24, 2026: Form of official ballots for the May 5 primary election must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections.