Many races uncontested for upcoming May 2 primary

Early voter turnout for the May 3 primary remains relatively low; however, Auglaize County Board of Elections Director Michelle Wilcox is hoping for 12 to 15 percent participation. The last Ohio governor’s race primary in 2018 saw as high as 26 percent participation.

Currently 235 Republicans and 99 Democrats have requested primary ballots in Auglaize County.

While other races — such as the state’s Central Committee, Senate and House of Representatives — still don’t have district maps, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is pushing for an Aug. 2 primary date for those races. Wilcox noted the local elections board would likely have to find alternate venues for voting as the potential Aug. 2 primary date runs concurrent with the Auglaize County Fair. She expects finding poll workers to work during the summer to also be a challenge.

The only issue facing city voters this May is a continuation of a 0.5 percent Wapakoneta Municipal Income Tax Levy for street improvements.

On the Democratic ballot there are three contested primary races. John Cranley and Teresa Fedor are competing against Nan Whaley and Cheryl Stephens for the governor and lieutenant governor spots. In the race for 4th District congressional representative, Jeffrey A. Sites is running against Tamie Wilson. In the U.S. Senate race, Morgan Harper is running against Traci TJ Johnson and Tim Ryan.

Non-contested Democratic candidates include Jeffrey A. Crossman, who is running for state attorney general; Taylor Sappington, who is running for state auditor; Chelsea Clark, secretary of state; Scott Schertzer, state treasurer; and Terri Jamison and Marilyn Zayas for separate Supreme Court Justice seats.

County-wide, Linda Bice appears on the ballot as a candidate for county auditor.

On the Republican ballot, contested races include the governor seat, with Joe Blystone and Jeremiah W. Workman, Mike DeWine and Jon Husted, Ron Hood and Candice Keller, as well as Jim Renacci and Joe Knopp competing for the state top spots.

John Adams is challenging Frank LaRose for Secretary of State.

In the race for Sen. Rob Portman’s seat, Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Neil Patel, Mark Pukita, Jane Timken and JD Vance appear on the ballot.

Non-contested Republican primary races include Dave Yost, attorney general; Keith Faber, state auditor; Robert Sprague, state treasurer; Sharon Kennedy, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court; Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine, both asking for a nod as Ohio Supreme Court justice; Jim Jordan, Ohio’s Fourth congressional district; William R. Zimmerman, Third District Court of Appeals; and Juergen Waldick running for Third District Court of appeals.

In Auglaize County, Common Pleas Court Judge Frederick Pepple, Commissioner Doug Spencer and County Engineer Andrew Baumer are also running for reelection.