*Created with our media partner, WTOL11. Find their original article here.
The May 5 primary election is almost here, so we are covering what you need to know prior to voting. Early voting has already begun, as you can learn more about in Jaden Jefferson‘s story, “Ohio’s 2026 Primary Election: 3 things to know.” Below is a list of statewide races, along with races and issues specific to Lucas County.
This is a primary election, meaning voters do not choose between all parties in the same race like in a general election. Instead, voters pick from candidates within the same party and the winner advances to the general election in November.
Additionally, TFP has included links to stories that get into more detail about the candidates and local issues. This resource will be updated regularly as we interview more of the candidates.
Statewide primary candidates
Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for 1)
• Amy Acton and David Pepper (Democratic) – Acton for Governor and Pepper for Lieutenant Governor are the only options on the Democratic ballot. Learn more Acton and Pepper here.
• Don Kissick and James L. Mills (Libertarian)
• Travis Jon Vought and Christy Jo Orr (Libertarian – Write-In)
Learn more about the Libertarian candidates here.
• Heather Hill and Stuart Moats (Republican) – WITHDRAWN
* Ohio governor candidate Heather Hill was disqualified on Wednesday, April 22 after Moats dropped out as her running mate. Read the full report by WTOL11 here.
• Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton (Republican)
• Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley (Republican)
For more details on all of the Republican candidates, check out Stephen Zenner’s article here.
U.S. Senator (Vote for 1)
Learn more about all of the U.S. Senator candidates in Stephen Zenner’s story, “TFP Voter’s Guide 2026: May Primary, U.S. Senator.”
• Sherrod Brown (Democratic)
• Ron Kincaid (Democratic)
• Jeffrey M. Kanter (Libertarian)
• William B. Redpath (Libertarian)
• Jon Husted (Republican)
Attorney General (Vote for 1)
• Elliot Forhan (Democratic)
• John J. Kulewicz (Democratic)
• Keith Faber (Republican)
Auditor of State (Vote for 1)
• Annette Blackwell (Democratic)
• Frank LaRose (Republican)
• Aiden Michael Jeffery (Libertarian – Write-In)
Secretary of State (Vote for 1)
• Bryan Hambley (Democratic)
• Allison Russo (Democratic)
• Tom Pruss (Libertarian)
• Robert Sprague (Republican)
• Marcell Strbich (Republican)
To learn more about some of the secretary of state candidates, read Jaden Jefferson’s coverage of a League of Women Voters event in which Bryan Hambley, Allison Russo, and Tom Pruss attended. Read it here. Readers can find a one-on-one interview with Robert Sprague below. All of these candidates have been contacted for interviews.
Treasurer of State (Vote for 1)
• Seth Walsh (Democratic)
• Jay Edwards (Republican)
• Kristina D. Roegner (Republican)
Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (Term commencing Jan. 1, 2027) (Vote for 1)
• Marilyn Zayas (Democratic)
• Daniel R. Hawkins (Republican)
Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (Term commencing Jan. 2, 2027) (Vote for 1)
• Jennifer Brunner (Democratic)
• Andrew King (Republican)
• Jill Lanzinger (Republican)
• Ronald Lewis (Republican)
• Colleen O’Donnell (Republican)
Note: There are no statewide issues during the May 5 primary election. Some races, school district and local issues may appear in multiple counties due to overlapping boundaries.
LUCAS COUNTY
• CONTESTED RACES
U.S. Representative – 9th District (Vote for 1)
To find more detailed information on all of the candidates below, check out Stephen Zenner’s article, “TFP Voter’s Guide 2026: May Primary, 9th Congressional District.”
• Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)
• Matthew Althaus (Libertarian)
• David Edward Gedert (Libertarian)
• Anthony Bruce Campbell (Republican)
• Derek Merrin (Republican)
• Alea Nadeem (Republican)
• Madison Sheahan (Republican)
State Senator – 11th District (Vote for 1)
• Paula Hicks-Hudson (Democratic)
• Kenneth W. Sharp (Libertarian)
• James Nowak (Republican)
State Representative – 41st District (Vote for 1)
• Ian Chamberlain (Republican)
• Erika White (Democratic – Write-In)
• William Patrick Watkins (Libertarian – Write-In)
State Representative – 42nd District (Vote for 1)
• Elgin Rogers Jr. (Democratic)
• Robert McMahon (Republican – Write-In)
State Representative – 43rd District (Vote for 1)
• Michele Grim (Democratic)
• Zach Hall (Libertarian)
• David Karmol (Republican)
• Kristi Kille (Republican)
State Representative – 44th District (Vote for 1)
TFP’s story by Jaden Jefferson, “Election 2026: School funding, property taxes, & data centers” includes interviews with all three of the candidates below:
• David J. Fournier (Democratic)
• John W. Rozic (Republican)
• Edward L. Schimmel (Republican)
Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations (Vote for 1)
• Lisa D. McGowan (Republican)
• Nedal Adya (Democratic – Write-In)
Court of Common Pleas – Probate (Vote for 1)
• Tom Puffenberger (Democratic)
• Shelly Kennedy (Republican)
Court of Appeals – 6th District (Vote for 1)
• Myron C. Duhart (Democratic)
• Michael R. Goulding (Republican)
• CJ Kamm (Republican)
Lucas County Commissioner (Vote for 1)
• Lisa A. Sobecki (Democratic)
• Brenden Johnson (Libertarian – Write-In)
• Laura Brown (Republican – Write-In)
Lucas County Auditor (Vote for 1)
• Katie Moline (Democratic)
• Carolyn Munn (Republican – Write-In)
• ISSUES
Full ballot language can be viewed at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:
Springfield Local School District (Proposed tax levy, additional, 3.9 mills, continuing): Current expenses.
Sylvania City School District (Proposed tax levy, additional, 7.9 mills, continuing): Current expenses.
Otsego Local School District (Proposed income tax, additional, .25%, 5 years commencing 2027): Current expenses.
Evergreen Local School District (Proposed income tax, renewal, .25%, 5 years commencing 2028): Current expenses.
Lucas County (Proposed tax levy, additional, .8 mill, 5 years commencing 2026): 911 and public safety communications system.
Lucas County (Proposed tax levy, additional, .9 mill, 10 years commencing 2026): Zoological park services and facilities.
More details on these two Lucas County issues can be found in Stephen Zenner’s story, “Toledo Free Press Voter’s Guide 2026:2 Issues for all in Lucas County.”
Village of Swanton (Proposed tax levy, additional, 1.5 mills, 5 years commencing 2026): Parks and recreational facilities and programs.
Richfield Township (Proposed tax levy, additional, 1.75 mills, 3 years commencing 2026): Fire protection and emergency services.
Sample ballots are available at this link.
