Early voting begins Tuesday

Election Day is still a month away. But voters can begin making their voices heard this week.

Early voting for the May 8 primary election, which includes contested races for the Republican nominations for state senate, state representative, county commissioner and sheriff, begins Tuesday.

The pair of state-level elections top the GOP ballot as incumbent Sen. Travis Holdman of Markle faces a challenge from Eric Orr of Berne. Holdman has served in the senate for 10 years and is one of a pair of frontrunners to take over as Senate Pro Tem from the retiring David Long. Orr is vice president of Adams County Council.

The other contested race for a chance to run in the general election for the state legislature pits Jenae Horn Blasdel of rural Jay County against John “J.D.” Prescott of rural Union City. Both are making their first run for elected office.

There are several county-level races that are contested on the GOP ballot, including a three-man battle for Jay County Commissioner in the middle district. Barry Hudson, the incumbent, is seeking to retain the seat after being selected by a Republican caucus in May to fill out the term vacated by Doug Inman. He is being challenged by Chad Aker and Caleb Lutes, who are both running for elected office for the first time.

Experience is the theme of the Republican race for the nomination for Jay County Sheriff. Incumbent Dwane Ford is seeking re-election while former two-term sheriff Ray Newton is attempting to unseat him and reclaim the office he held from 2007 through 2015.

Amy Runyon Barrett and Harold Towell are both seeking the GOP nomination for the district two seat on Jay County Council. Bob Vance chose not to seek re-election.

There is also a contested Republican race for the nomination for county assessor, with Robin Alberson taking on Cherrie Geesaman. Diana Stults, who is completing her second term in office, chose not to run for re-election.

The only contested race on the Democrat side of the ballot that is above the township level is for nominations for Redkey Town Council. In that race, incumbent Charles “Red” Coons is facing challenges from former council members Terri D. Taylor and James “Watermellon Jim” Phillips, as well as Nathan Cole. Two Democrats will earn a spot on the ballot for the general election.

Other contested races on the Democrat ballot are: James B. Isenhart and Nancy Cline for Greene Township Trustee; and Crystal E. Laux and Katina L. Miller for Bearcreek Township Trstee.

The following candidates are unopposed:



REPUBLICAN

Recorder

Betty St. Myers



Jay Circuit Court Judge

Brian Hutchison



County council

District three

Faron Parr



County Council - District four

Mike Rockwell



Redkey Town Council

Randy J. May



Pennville Town Board

Alicia Corwin



Wayne Township Trustee

James E. Brewster



Penn Township Trustee

Michael Armstrong



Noble Township Trustee

Virginia Cline



Jackson Township Trustee

Rex Pinkerton



Wabash Township Trustee

Ronald F. Rosenbeck



Knox Township Trustee

Joseph Gutshall



Madison Township Trustee

Scott Hilfiker



Pike Twp. Advisory Board

Arthur C. Harris



Jackson Township Advisory Board

Matt Caster

Terry L. Rigby

Richard L. Houser



Knox Twp. Advisory Board

Joella Rinker

Jennifer Cline-Wagner



Wabash Twp. Advisory Board

Sarah M. Davidson

Jane M. Martin

Beverly Westgerdes



Noble Twp. Advisory Board

Jeff Overholser

Eldon L. Campbell

Emily Daugherty



Madison Twp. Advisory Board

Greg Shreeve

Patty A. Starr



Republican Convention

Delegate

Ilze Koch



DEMOCRAT

Commissioner

Middle district

Brian Aker



Prosecutor

Wes Schemenaur



County council - District one

Ted Champ



Pennville Town Board

Millie A. Ellis



Richland Township Trustee

David L. Champ



Knox Township Trustee

Dane A. Mumbower



Pike Township Trustee

Bob Lyons



Pike Twp. Advisory Board

Billy M. Sipe

Phillip Cowan



Jefferson Twp. Advisory Board

Richard Nixon



Penn Twp. Advisory Board

Douglass Geesaman



Greene Twp. Advisory Board

Robert Bailey

Rodney Cassel

Don Whitenack



Richland Twp. Advisory Board

Bob Ford

Joe Lloyd

Gary R. Glogas



Knox Twp. Advisory Board

Dennis Rodgers



Bearcreek Township

Advisory Board

Kari Tressler

Jim Haffner



Dunkirk 3 precinct

commiteeman

Pam Bunch



Wayne 1 Precinct

Commiteeman

Brett Darby



Wayne 2 Precinct

Committeeman

Bart Darby



Greene Precinct

Committeeman

Nancy Cline



Redkey Precinct

Commiteeman

Kyle Champ



Wayne 7 Precinct

Commiteeman

Fred Bailey



Pike Twp. Committeeman

James Brewster