List of candidates, issues set for March primary in Lorain County

The board is set for partisan primary races and issues that will appear on the March ballot after the deadline to file with the Lorain Board of Elections passed Wednesday afternoon. A four-way Democratic primary will take place for one of two spots on the Lorain County Board of Commissioners. The post of Lorain County sheriff is up for grabs, as are two Common Pleas Court seats that are losing their incumbent judges. There are also numerous tax, charter amendment and liquor option issues on the ballot on March 19. The list is pending the Board of Elections certification of petitions and number of issues. That will take place at a meeting of the board on Dec. 28. Candidates Those candidates who filed by the deadline Wednesday are: Lorain County Clerk of Courts incumbent Tom Orlando, a Democrat Republican challenger Maurice Corbin III Lorain County Commissioner, term commencing Jan. 2, 2025: incumbent Commissioner Michelle Hung, a Republican; Republican challenger Marty Gallagher Democratic challengers Charles Brown, Tony Dimacchia, Marty Heberling III, and Carolyn White Lorain County Commissioner, term commencing Jan. 3, 2025: incumbent Commissioner David Moore, a Republican; Republican challenger Matthew Spears Democratic challenger Brian Baker Lorain County Common Pleas Judge, term commencing Jan. 2, 2025 (seat held by Judge John Miraldi, who did not file for re-election by Wednesday's deadline): Democrats Matthew Bobrowski and Donna Freeman Republican Richard Ramsey Common Pleas Judge, term commencing Jan. 6, 2025 (seat held by Judge James Miraldi, who was not permitted to run again due to judicial age limits) Democrat Dan Petticord Republican Giovanna Scaletta-Bremke Lorain County Domestic Relations/Juvenile judge: incumbent Judge Frank Janik, a Democrat Republican challenger Anthony Hurst Lorain County Prosecutor incumbent J.D. Tomlinson, a Democrat Republican challenger Tony Cillo Lorain County Recorder incumbent Mike Doran, a Republican Democratic challengers Jeff Bearer and Dawn Walther Lorain County Sheriff (replacing Sheriff Phil Stammitti, a Democrat who is not running for re-election) Republican Jack Hall Democrats Rich Resendez and Rick Thomas Lorain County Treasurer incumbent Dan Talarek, a Democrat Republican challenger John Prajzner Common Pleas judges Chris Cook and Raymond Ewers, both Democrats; Domestic Relations/Juvenile Judge Lisa Swenski, a Democrat; county Engineer Ken Carney, a Democrat; and county Coroner Dr. Frank Miller, a Republican, are unopposed for re-election in the primary. 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Hensal, a Republican, has filed for a third-consecutive six-year term on the court, which is in Akron and handles appeals of court cases originating in Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties. Democrat Steve Elliott has filed to run for Hensal's seat, according to the Summit County Board of Elections. Three Ohio House seats also are up for election: State representative, 52nd Ohio House District incumbent state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville Democratic challenger Genevieve Flieger of North Ridgeville State representative, 53rd Ohio House District incumbent state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst Republican challenger Bradley Lacko of Amherst State representative, 54th Ohio House District (replacing state Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, who may not run for re-election due to term limits) Republicans Kellie Deeter of Norwalk and Anthony Savage of Wellington Democrat Brenda Buchanan of Columbia Township U.S. House, Ohio 5th Congressional District: incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green; Republican challenger Robert Owsiak Jr. of Sheffield Lake Democratic challenger Keith Mundy of Parma Republicans Mike Witte, of Amherst, and Jean Anderson, of Vermilion, are unopposed for state central committeeman and committeewoman, respectively. The 2024 general election is scheduled to take place on Nov. 5, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. Issues Twenty-five issues were filed in time to appear on the March 19 ballot. They are: Amherst, Ward 3, Precinct A, Sunday sales, The Golf Lounge Avon Lake, 2-mill, five-year renewal levy for ambulance and EMS services LaGrange, 2.7-mill, five-year renewal levy for current expenses Lorain, 0.25 percent income tax, five years, for general operating funds and equipment Lorain, term of City Council change from two years to four years Lorain Ward 1, Precinct F, Sunday sales, Knights on Kansas North Ridgeville, 2.25-mill five-year renewal levy for ambulance and EMS services North Ridgeville Branch Library, 1.91-mill five-year renewal levy for current expenses Oberlin charter amendment to amend terms of City Council Oberlin charter amendment to amend viewing of Council meetings Oberlin charter amendment on method to create or change office and other items Oberlin charter amendment to amend reading of ordinances and resolutions Oberlin charter amendment to amend procedures for ordinances and resolutions Oberlin charter amendment to amend duties of city manager Oberlin charter amendment to amend civil service rules Rochester, 2.5-mill five-year replacement levy for current expenses Amherst Township, Sunday sales, ESP Brewing Brownhelm Township, 2-mill five-year renewal levy for fire and EMS Eaton Township zoning referendum to approve or reject change to heavy industrial zoning for Ross Environmental Services Grafton Township, 1-mill five-year replacement levy for repair of streets, roads and bridges Elyria Schools, 4.95-mill renewal levy for a continuing period of time for current expenses. Elyria Schools, 12.85-mill, 10-year renewal levy for emergency requirements Oberlin Public Library, 1.5-mill, 10-year renewal levy for current expenses Lorain Port and Finance Authority, 1-mill five-year replacement levy for operating expenses Strongsville Schools, 5.9-mill five-year renewal levy for current expenses. A small number of Columbia Township residents vote on issues in the district, a majority of which is in neighboring Cuyahoga County.