The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Feb. 20. Ohioans can check their voter registration on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
Here are candidates in contested county races who filed petitions by Wednesday’s deadline. There are many other candidates running unopposed.
Montgomery County
Commissioners
Incumbent Judy Dodge will face off with challenger Youssef Elzein in the Democratic primary for her county commission seat. Dodge has been a county commissioner since 2006 and prior to that was the county’s recorder. Elzein is a civil engineer and an Arab-American activist.
In the Republican primary for Dodge’s seat, Huber Heights councilmember Kate Baker will face former Dayton Police Department officer Jordan Wortham. The winners of March’s Republican and Democratic primaries will square off in November.
Incumbent county commissioner Debbie Lieberman does not have a Democratic challenger this primary election. Former Trotwood mayor Mary McDonald, a Republican, also filed petitions to run for the seat.
Domestic Relations Court Judge
Two Republicans, Jacqueline Gaines and Jennifer Petrella, had their petitions certified by the Montgomery County Board of Elections to run for Montgomery County Domestic Relations Judge. Incumbent Judge Denise L. Cross did not file petitions to run for re-election.
Greene County
Commissioners
Outgoing Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone and Xenia Mayor Sarah Mays will face off in the Republican primary for a seat on the Greene County Commission. Incumbent Rick Perales announced in September that he would not run for reelection in 2024.
Incumbent Commissioner Tom Koogler, a Republican, is running for re-election and facing no challengers for his seat.
No Democrats filed petitions for either commission seat.
Recorder
Incumbent Greene County Recorder Eric Sears did not file petitions for re-election. Three Republican candidates — Joe Kennedy, Rebekah Dean and Kenneth Kraus — filed petitions to run in the March primary. Dean is a Xenia city councilmember.
Warren County
Clerk of Courts
Warren County Clerk of Courts incumbent James A. Spaeth did not file petitions to run for re-election, but Republicans Scott Male and Breighton Smith filed petitions before Wednesday’s deadline.
Republican Shannon Zeller withdrew from the race, according to Warren County election board records.
Miami County
Sheriff
The sheriff seat is the only contested race for Miami County office in the March election — incumbent Republican Dave Duchak will be challenged by Republican Paul Reece.
Court of appeals
An incumbent judge for Ohio’s District 2 Appellate Court — Chris Epley, of Dayton — could face a challenger in the Republican primary. Robert Hanseman, of Centerville, filed petitions for the judicial seat, according to Montgomery County Board of Elections records.
The District 2 Appellate Court hears appeals from Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Champaign, Miami and Darke counties.
Nancy Bowman and London Bishop contributed to this report.
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