Early voting opens Tuesday

Election day is still a month away, but local voters will be able to take to the polls Tuesday.

Early voting for the May municipal primary elections begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, with three contested race for mayoral nominations leading the ballot in Jay County.

All Dunkirk voters have a choice when it comes to mayor, as both the Republican and Democrat primaries are contested.

On the GOP side of the ballot, incumbent Mayor Gene Ritter is seeking the nomination to run for a second term. He is being challenged by Tom Crouch, a retired manufacturing supervisor.

For the Democrats, it’s Robbins versus Rollins. Jack Robbins, a retired laborer and current city council member, and Sandy Rollins, who is retired from Ardagh, are squaring off for the nomination.

Portland Democrats also have a choice when it comes to who they want to represent the part in the city’s mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor Randy Geesaman is seeking a nomination for a third term in office while facing a challenge from Bart Darby, Portland’s assistant police chief.

The Republican ballot features the only contested race for Portland City Council, as incumbent Michele Brewster goes up against maintenance technician Steven McIntosh.

For Dunkirk City Council, a couple of former mayors are hoping for the Democrat nomination for the at-large seat. Incumbent Tom Johnson, who was mayor from 2000 through 2003, is being challenge by Run Hunt, who served as mayor from 2008 through 2011.

Redkey Republicans will have a choice for who they’d like to see advance to the general election for town council. They will select three from the field of four candidates — incumbent Dave Dudelston, Pilot Bechtol, Gary Gardner and John Pierce.

Early voting will be available in the voting room on the south side of Jay County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from Tuesday through May 3. It will also be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays April 27 and May 4.

Three Democrats are also running for Redkey Town Council’s at-large seats, but with three seats up for election they will all advance to the November ballot. They are “Watermellon” Jim Phillips, Erik Hammers and Nathan Cole.

The same is true for the two at-large seats on Portland City Council, as Democrats Dave Golden and Tyler Newell will both move on to the general election.

Republicans who are uncontested in the primary are: John Boggs (Portland mayor), Donald Gillespie (Portland City Court Judge), Matt Goldsworthy (Portland City Council - District 1), Don Gillespie (Portland City Council - District 4), Kent McClung (Portland City Council - District 5), Janet Powers (Portland City Council - at-large), Kevin Hamilton (Dunkirk City Council - District 1), Bryan Jessup (Dunkirk City Council - District 2), Jess Bivens (Dunkirk City Council - District 3), Richard Buckner (Dunkirk City Council - at-large) and Krista Scholer (Pennville clerk-treasurer).

Democrats who are uncontested in the primary are: Lori Aker Ferguson (Portland clerk-treasurer), David Cramer (Portland City Council - District 1), Judy Hedges (Portland City Council - District 2), Tina Elliott (Dunkirk clerk-treasurer), Lisa Street (Dunkirk City Council - District 4) and Debbie James (Redkey clerk-treasurer).