MARION COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The race for an open seat on the Marion County Board of Commissioners is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the May 5 primary election, with four Republican candidates filing to run.

Candidates seeking a place on the May primary ballot were required to file petitions with the Marion County Board of Elections by Feb. 4. Election officials are expected to certify the filings on Feb. 17, but current filings already show several contested races and a number of levy issues set to appear before voters.

Current Marion County Commissioner Mark Davis will not seek reelection, creating an open seat on the three-member board. Republicans Christy Neff, Kenneth Stiverson, Jason Schaber, and Timothy Mooney have all filed to run for the position.

In addition to the commissioner race, voters will see numerous central committee candidates on the ballot across Marion County precincts and townships. One of the few contested Republican central committee races is in Marion 1-B, where Tommy T. Reese and Shawn R. Barr are both seeking the seat.

Several Democrats and Republicans also filed for various central committee positions throughout the county, including races in Claridon Township, Marion precincts, Marion Township, Montgomery Township, Pleasant Township, and Richland Township.

Election officials will also determine the status of Republican candidate Kevin W. Davidson, who filed to run for a precinct that no longer exists in Marion County.

Voters will also decide several levy and local issue requests during the May election.

Among the issues on the ballot will be a proposed gas aggregation program for the Village of Waldo and a 10-year additional 2.4-mill levy for the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board is seeking renewal of a five-year, 1-mill levy.

Marion Township Fire will ask voters to approve a five-year renewal and increase levy totaling 3.3 mills, including renewal of 2.3 mills and an additional 1 mill increase.

Other ballot issues include:

  • Cardington-Lincoln Local School District, five-year additional levy for 2.1 mills.
  • Pleasant Township, a five-year additional levy for 4 mills.
  • Fort Morrow Fire District, five-year renewal levy for 2 mills.

Voters in Pleasant Township will also consider a local option request from Scrappy’s seeking approval for Sunday alcohol sales.