Residents encouraged to head to the polls on May 8
The primary elections for 2018’s off-year elections are underway. Members of both the Democrat and Republican parties have many options to choose from.
The primary elections for 2018’s off-year elections are underway. Early voting began April 10, and the final votes will be counted on the official election day of May 8. Members of both the Democrat and Republican parties have many options to choose from.
Tuscarawas County’s biggest issue concerns funding a new 911 system. The current first responder radio system will reach the end of its life this year, and county officials want to upgrade to the statewide Multi-Agency Radio Communications System. Commissioners have proposed a temporary 0.5-percent sales tax to pay for the system.
Another high-profile race is the Republican primary for the Ohio House of Representatives’ 98th District. The district includes all of Tuscarawas County and parts of Holmes County. Five candidates are running for the job of facing the Democratic candidate in November.
Dover City Council President Shane Gunnoe is running to fight the opioid crisis, make Ohio more business-friendly and lower taxes.
Uhrichsville law director Brett Hillyer has decided to run due to frustration with the state cutting funding for local governments.
Co-owner of Pam’s Posies Greg Ress is running on a platform to expand economic development in the area and make it more appealing to college graduates.
St. John’s United Church of Walnut Creek’s pastor Mark Behrendt also is running with the intention of channelling more state funding to local communities. He feels the state should redistribute the $2 billion rainy day fund to local governments.
First Class Industries CEO Larry Hawthorne has said he would support legislation dealing with immigration and veteran issues, jobs, work for welfare, and armed guards in schools.
The race turned ugly when Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger resigned over an FBI investigation into his lavish lifestyle. Hillyer called upon Gunnoe to disavow the endorsement he received from Rosenberger. Gunnoe disavowed and called for the speaker to remove himself from office. A Political Action Committee called Conservative Alliance also has focused on the 98th District and spent tens of thousands of dollars in negative ads.
The only statewide issue on this ballot is to create a bipartisan, public process for drawing congressional districts. The issue was put on the ballot by lawmakers and would make Ohio the only state to utilize bipartisan support to draw congressional districts. The measure has gained support from former Gov. Bob Taft and Ted Strickland as well as both the state Democratic and Republican parties.
Republicans also have several choices of whom to run against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. The front runner is Ohio 16th District Rep. Jim Renacci, one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Renacci is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and opposes Obamacare.
Other candidates in the race include Mike Gibbons, a Cleveland investment banker who wants to cut taxes and spending; Melissa Ackison, a Marysville small business owner whose complaint about Obamacare led to an invitation from President Trump to the White House; Daniel Kiley, founder of a Cincinnati financial management firm who is focused on ending deficit spending and reining in entitlements; and Don Elijah Eckhart, a retired public administrator from near Columbus who wants to end the spiritual decline of America.
The race for Ohio’s 7th District nominee in the U.S. House has been active for several months. Navy veteran Ken Harbaugh has been crisscrossing the district holding town halls since announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination last June. Harbaugh faces a Timken Company business manager, Patrick Pikus. Republican Incumbent Bob Gibbs faces two challengers. Medina truck driver and real estate agent Terry Robertson, whom he defeated in 2016, is looking for a rematch. Patrick Quinn, a builder of private internet networks, also is running for the Republican nomination.
In the southern half of Tuscarawas County, Ohio 6th District Rep. Bill Johnson is facing a primary challenge from Robert Blazek, who operates a small cow and calf farm outside Bellaire. The winner of the Republican nomination will face Werner Lange, former educator, pastor and Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, or first-time politician Shawna Roberts, who is a stay-at-home mom campaigning on health care, the economy and expansion of broadband internet access to rural areas.
Issues two and three are for a 5.8-mill substitute levy and a 3-mill emergency levy to fund Garaway Local School District. Issue four is a 6.5-mill renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of New Philadelphia City School District. Issue five is a local liquor option to decide whether to grant Sunday sales to Sumo Japanese Restaurant in New Philadelphia.
Other contested races include the Republican nomination for state treasurer and members of the State Central Committee for both parties.
All county ballots can be viewed before election day on the Board of Elections website at http://boe.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/.