Local voters will decide on several issues that could affect their property and income taxes, and the stage is set for some contentious campaigns in both May and November.
If you scroll down, you can find links to stories listing all local races and issues by county. These are the races and issues that filed by the Wednesday deadline. Local elections board have until Feb. 17 to confirm that they met the qualifications to be on the ballot.
Here are some highlights:
Biggest tax hike: Kettering schools is asking for voters to pass a 5.93-mill, 37-year bond issue to fund its plan to build and renovate its schools.
Fairfield asks: Fairfield Twp. is asking voters for a 2.99-mill police levy and a 4.49-mill levy for fire and EMS. At the same time, Fairfield schools is putting an income tax on the ballot.
Try and try again: Several tax issues are similar to issues that didn’t pass in November, notably in Clark County, Xenia and Jefferson Twp. schools.
Congress: The fight for control of Congress has major national implications, and is playing out in a couple local races. Six Democrats are vying to take on U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton. Turner’s district (which includes Montgomery and Greene counties and part of Butler) leans Republican but Dems think it is winnable.
Meanwhile, four Republicans are competing for a chance to run for the only southwest Ohio congressional district held by a Democrat. Incumbent Rep. Greg Landsman of Cincinnati (whose district includes all of Warren County) also has a primary challenger.
These races are occurring with new congressional boundaries after redistricting last year, so some voters will see new names on their ballots.
State Senate: Current state Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Butler Twp., has a clear path to becoming the new state senator representing all of Preble and Miami counties and parts of Butler, Montgomery and Darke. He is the only Republican candidate and no Democrat filed for the seat, currently held by term-limited Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Troy.
Warren County voters this year will elect a new state senator. Two Democrats and one Republican filed to replace term-limited Sen. Steve Wilson, R-Maineville.
House races: Plummer was expecting to face off against state Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, who previously announced a Senate run but ended up filing for reelection. Creech faces a potentially tough Republican primary against J. Todd Smith, a Farmersville pastor who served in the Ohio House from 2018 through 2020.
Plummer’s move to the senate also opens up his Ohio House seat, representing parts of northern Montgomery County. Two Democrats and one Republican filed for that seat.
County races: The Montgomery County Republican Party is hoping to build on the momentum it has had in recent elections, as the GOP has picked up county seats such as clerk of courts, treasurer, recorder and county commissioner. Four Republicans are vying to challenge incumbent Democrat Carolyn Rice for county commission. The list includes Lori Kennedy, who was just elected county recorder in 2024, bumping off a Democratic incumbent.
In Butler County, Republican incumbent Cindy Carpenter will face a primary challenge from from Michael Ryan — but not from former county auditor Roger Reynolds who announced a bid but didn’t file.
Clark County has a four-way Republican primary to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Melanie Flax Wilt. This includes the two candidates nominated by the two groups each claiming to be the official Clark County Republican Party.
Also not running: Former Dayton-area Republican state lawmaker Niraj Antani announced a run for state treasurer, but didn’t actually file. Antani said he can’t compete with the largely self-funded war chest of his competitor.
Full Election 2025 coverage:
Who filed to run for Ohio statewide seats in May primary - incumbents term-limited
Every one of Ohio’s statewide executive offices — governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer — will have new occupants starting in 2027, and Ohioans now know the main candidates for each.
Here’s who wants your vote in May primary for area Ohio House, Senate races
Candidates who filed to run for Ohio House and Senate seats by the Wednesday deadline with local boards of elections for the May 5 primary seek to represent parts of Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Warren, Clark, Miami, Preble and Darke counties.
Montgomery County candidates, tax issues filed for May 2026 primary
Montgomery County voters will decide a number of local tax issues and primary races in the May 5 election.
Miami County candidates, tax issues filed for May 2026 primary
Miami County voters may see several local tax issues on the May 5 ballot, along with several primary races, most of which are uncontested.
Warren County tax issues and candidates filed for May 5 Primary Election
Warren County primary voters will decide on a handful of local levies and candidates in the May 5 primary election.
Greene County candidates, tax issues filed for May 2026 primary
Greene County voters will see several Republican primary races and tax issues on their ballots for the May 5 primary.
Clark County candidates, tax issues filed for May 2026 primary
Several local candidates and tax issues filed by the Wednesday deadline to appear on the May 5 primary ballot in Clark County.
Butler County candidates, tax issues filed for May 2026 primary
Butler County voters will see several local races and tax issues on the May 5 primary ballot following Wednesday’s filing deadline.
Here’s who filed to run in May primary to represent you in Congress
Candidates who filed to run for Congress by the Wednesday deadline with local boards of elections for the May 5 primary aim to represent parts of Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Warren, Clark, Miami, Preble and Darke counties.
