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Local News

Sunday, March 02, 2008

A primary primer

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By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

About 21,000 Hancock County residents are expected to vote during Tuesday's primary election, which features two Republican contests for county commissioner, plus GOP races for sheriff, coroner and treasurer.

There are no Democrats running for those offices, but voters from both parties will select presidential nominees, and cast ballots on a countywide tax issue sought by the Hancock Park District.

There are also tax matters before voters in McComb, Arcadia and Van Buren school districts.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner predicts 52 percent of Ohio's 7.9 million registered voters will vote during the primary election -- either at the polls or absentee.

Brunner's estimate is based on the high number of absentee ballots being requested statewide. She said 10 to 20 percent of voters will cast ballots absentee, either through the mail or in person at county boards of elections before Tuesday.

In Hancock County, the turnout is expected to be closer to 40 percent, according to Lori Miller, director of the Hancock County Board of Elections.

Miller said interest in the presidential primaries and the county races, park issue and school levies will result in about 20,670 people voting during the election. The county currently has 51,673 registered voters.

“We're hoping it will be higher than that, but based on past (presidential) primaries we feel it will be close to 40 percent,” she said. There was a 40.1 percent county turnout in 2000 and 40.6 percent in 1996.

As of Friday, Miller said more than 2,000 county voters had cast absentee ballots. She expected the final absentee total to end up between 3,000 and 4,000, about the same total as in other elections.



Commissioner races

A total of five Republican candidates are seeking the party's nomination in two Hancock County commissioner races.

Incumbent Ed Ingold is facing a challenge from Robert Kuhlman in one battle, while a three-way contest is on the ballot for the post currently held by Emily Walton. Walton's opponents are former commissioner Steve Oman and newcomer Brad Griffin.

With no Democrats running, the winners of both contests will only face opposition in November if an independent files candidacy petitions by Monday.



Other county contests

Hancock County Sheriff Mike Heldman, seeking a fourth term, is facing a challenge from former city police chief Tom Renninger.

The first race for Hancock County coroner in 28 years will pit Dr. Mark Fox against Dr. John Ziegler. Current Coroner Dr. Leroy Schroeder is not seeking re-election.

In the treasurer race, incumbent J. Steve Welton has two opponents, Carl Moses and Larry Settlemire.

All these candidates are Republicans; no Democrats are running for sheriff, coroner or treasurer.



Park levy

The Hancock Park District is asking voters to replace its tax levy. The proposed 0.8-mill levy would generate $1.3 million annually for eight years. The money would be used to pay for day-to-day park operations.



School issues

Voters in the McComb School District are being asked to approve a 5.7-mill bond issue for renovations and additions to the McComb school building. It would raise $6.2 million over 28 years.

The Van Buren School District is asking voters to renew a 5.2-mill emergency levy that generates $1,275,000 annually, for four years.

A renewal is also before voters in the Arcadia School District, where a 6.4-mill emergency levy would generate $440,000 annually for four years.



Presidential races

Republican voters in Hancock County will choose between Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas for president.

Democrats have a choice between New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Other presidential candidates will appear on both parties' ballots, but they are no longer running.

Even though the names of presidential candidates will be on the ballots, citizens aren't really voting for them. When they cast a vote, people are really voting for a delegate who promises to vote for a particular candidate during the party's national convention this summer.

Republican voters will cast two ballots -- one for an “at large” delegate, and one for a “district delegate.”

Democrats will cast only one ballot for a delegate.



Congressional contest

Three candidates, incumbent Bob Latta, Scott Radcliffe and Michael Reynolds, are vying for the Republican nomination for Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The Republican nominee will face Democrat George Mays in November.

The 5th District includes Wood, Seneca, Henry, Putnam, and eastern Wyandot County.



Legislature races

There are primary election races for three area seats in the Ohio Legislature.

Candidates are competing for party nominations for an Ohio Senate seat in the 2nd District, and for Ohio House seats in the 81st and 82nd districts.

In the 2nd, incumbent state Sen. Mark Wagoner is competing with Mark Hollenbaugh and John Schulte in the Republican primary. On the Democratic side, Darwitt R. Garrett and Sylvia A. Washburn are seeking that party's nomination. The 2nd District includes Wood County.

A Republican primary race for an Ohio House seat in the 81st District pits incumbent Jeff Wagner against former state representative Gene Damschroder. The district includes the western side of Seneca County.

In the 82nd District, State Rep. Steve Reinhard has reached term limits. Seeking the GOP nomination in that district, which includes Wyandot County, are Lois Fisher and Jeffrey McClain. Craig S. Swartz and Wanda L. Sharrock are squaring off on the Democratic side.



Area counties

Major election issues Tuesday in surrounding counties:

Allen County -- Republicans and Democrats will pick candidates for judge of Allen County probate/juvenile court.

Hardin County -- Republicans will choose party nominees for county prosecutor, county commissioner and treasurer. Countywide, voters will decide whether to replace a 0.75-mill levy for the 911 telephone system.

Putnam County -- Two Republican county commissioner races and a Columbus Grove school building project are on the primary ballot. The school district is seeking a .25 percent income tax and a 6.38-mill bond issue for a new school. The district also seeks a half-mill levy to maintain the new building.

Seneca County -- Voters will decide whether to restore and renovate the Seneca County Courthouse. An additional 0.8-mill levy for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board also is on the ballot. County Republicans will pick nominees for two county commissioner seats, juvenile judge and sheriff.

Wood County -- North Baltimore School District is asking voters to renew an 8-mill operating levy, and four Republicans are competing for Wood County prosecutor. No Democrats are running for the job.

Wyandot County -- Voters will decide a countywide tax issue for mental health and recovery services. Republican voters will decide a party race for commissioner.

Contact staff writer J. Steven Dillon at: (419) 427-8423 Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon
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While there won't be another Courier newspaper until Monday, look for news and sports updates this weekend at The Courier's Web site, www.thecourier.com.

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