Pick your candidates this spring

Seneca County election officials have finalized the candidate list for the May 5, 2026, primary election. The ballot features a mix of contested statewide races and local primary challenges across the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian parties. Republican Ballot • U.S. Senate: Appointed incumbent Jon Husted is running unopposed for the Republican nomination to complete the remainder of the current Senate term. • Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Three teams have filed for the nomination: Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley, Heather Hill and Stuart Moats and Casey Putsch and Kimberly Georgeton. • Secretary of State: A contested primary features Robert Sprague (the current State Treasurer) and Marcell Strbich. • Attorney General: Keith Faber (the current State Auditor) is running unopposed for the nomination. • Supreme Court of Ohio: Four candidates are seeking the nomination for the seat currently held by Justice Jennifer Brunner: Jill Lanzinger, Andrew King, Ronald Lewis and Colleen O'Donnell. For the seat currently held by Justice Dan Hawkins, incumbent Dan Hawkins is running unopposed. • 88th State House District: Incumbent Gary Click faces a primary challenge from Eric Watson. • Republican Central Committee: There are 51 local precinct seats on the ballot. Of those, 30 seats are contested. Democratic Ballot • U.S. Senate (Special Election): Sherrod Brown and Ron Kincaid are seeking the Democratic nomination. • Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Amy Acton and David Pepper are running unopposed for the nomination. • Secretary of State: Voters will choose between Bryan Hambley and Allison Russo. • Attorney General: Elliott Forhan and John J. Kulewicz are the candidates for the nomination. • Supreme Court of Ohio: Incumbent Jennifer Brunner is running unopposed for her seat, while Marilyn Zayas is running unopposed for the second available seat. • 88th State House District: Aaron Jones, a veteran and Tiffin City Council member, is running unopposed for the nomination. Libertarian Ballot • U.S. Senate: A contested race between Jeffrey Kanter and William Redpath. • Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Donald Kissick and James Mills are seeking the nomination. • Secretary of State: Tom Pruss is running for the nomination.