04/06/2026

Ohio primary election: What’s on the ballot in Washington, Athens, Meigs and Morgan counties

Chase Campbell

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - Ohio voters head to the polls May 5 for the primary election. In-person early voting begins Tuesday at county boards of elections.

Voters will see races from U.S. Senate and governor contests to countywide levies and local issues in Washington, Athens, Meigs and Morgan counties.

U.S. Senate

Republican Jon Husted is running unopposed for his party’s nomination.

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenged in the Democratic primary by Ron Kincaid. Libertarians Jeffrey M. Kantner and William B. Redpath face each other for their party’s nomination.

U.S. House (Ohio’s 2nd District)

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. David J. Taylor is challenged in the GOP primary by Bob Carr.

On the Democratic side, Jen Mazzuckelli and Todd Wilson are vying for the nomination.

Governor

With Republican Gov. Mike DeWine nearing the end of his final term, three Republican tickets are competing for the party’s gubernatorial nomination: Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley; Heather Hill and Stuart Moats; and Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton.

Democrat Amy Acton and running mate David Pepper are running unopposed, as are Libertarians Don Kissick and James L. Mills.

Other statewide races

Several statewide races feature contested primaries.

Republicans Robert Sprague and Marcell Strbich are competing for secretary of state, while Democrats Bryan Hambley and Allison Russo face each other for their party’s nomination. Libertarian Tom Pruss is running unopposed.

In the race for state treasurer, Republicans Jay Edwards and Kristina D. Roegner square off. Democrat Seth Walsh is running unopposed.

For attorney general, incumbent Republican Keith Faber is running unopposed, while Democrats Elliot Forhan and John J. Kulewicz are competing for the nomination.

Four Republicans — Andrew King, Jill Lanzinger, Ronald Lewis and Colleen O’Donnell — are vying for their party’s nomination for Ohio Supreme Court justice for a full term that begins Jan. 2, 2027. Incumbent Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner is running unopposed.

Ohio House

Incumbent Kevin Ritter is seeking the Republican nomination unopposed in the 94th House District. Democrat Wenda Sheard is also running unopposed.

In the 95th House District, Republican Ty Moore is running unopposed. Democrats Paul Cameron and James Antoni Joyce are competing for the party’s nomination.

Washington County

Washington County voters face a contested Republican primary for county commissioner between Stephanie Lang and Eddie Place. Democrat Brian G. Whalin is running unopposed.

Voters will also consider two countywide levies.

The Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking an additional 0.95-mill property tax levy for five years to fund programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The levy would generate an estimated $2.167 million annually — about $33 per $100,000 of assessed property value — beginning in 2026, with the first collection in 2027.

The Washington County Library is asking voters to approve an additional 0.5-mill levy for 10 years to fund current expenses. It is estimated to generate $1.14 million annually, or about $18 per $100,000 of property value.

Marietta Township voters will consider an additional 1-mill levy for five years to fund fire and emergency services. It is estimated to raise $157,500 annually, about $35 per $100,000 of market value.

The East Muskingum Fire District is seeking an additional 2-mill levy for five years for fire protection and emergency medical services. It is estimated to raise $290,460 annually, or about $70 per $100,000 of property value.

Athens County

Athens city voters will decide whether to approve a 0.2 percentage-point income tax increase to fund police and fire departments, general municipal operations, street improvements, capital improvements and transportation.

Meigs County

Two Republican primaries are contested in Meigs County, with no Democratic candidates in either race.

Incumbent Zachary B. Manuel and Richard L. Wamsley are competing for county commissioner. Tonya Griffin and Carrie Rose face off for an unexpired term as county treasurer.

Meigs County voters will also consider a proposed 1% annual income tax on earned income for residents of the Meigs Local School District. If approved, the five-year levy would begin Jan. 1, 2027, and fund current expenses.

Morgan County

Morgan County’s Republican primary for county commissioner features Bill Jenkins and incumbent Cecil Mayle. There are no Democrats in the race.

Voters will also decide a renewal levy: a 1.97-mill property tax that would continue funding developmental disabilities programs and services for five years beginning in 2026. The levy is estimated to generate $613,255 annually, or about $69 per $100,000 of market value.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. May 5 and close at 7:30 p.m.

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