Franklin County voters will see several key races on the primary election ballot this May, including several partisan primaries that will likely decide who ultimately takes office.
Many of these elections may be decided in the primaries, because the seats aren't considered competitive in the general election either due to gerrymandering or being located in areas that typically vote for one political party more than another.
For example, State Rep. Allison Russo is running for Ohio Secretary of State while State Rep. Latyna Humphrey is running for State Senate. That's creating opportunity for new blood in the Ohio House for their districts, which typically vote Democrat.
The crowded primary for Russo's seat in District 7, representing Clintonville, Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, features Upper Arlington Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, Upper Arlington City Councilmember Michaela Burriss and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center physician and associate professor Zach Rossfeld.
Vying for Humphrey's seat in District 2 are former Columbus City Schools' Board President Michael Cole and nonprofit leader Charity Martin King. District 2 includes much of south Columbus, Whitehall and parts of far east Columbus.
Both seats have generally gone to Democrats in recent years. Russo often ran uncontested while Humphrey received more than 80% of the vote when challenged.
League of Women Voters of Ohio Executive Director Jen Miller told WOSU it's important for voters of all stripes to get out and vote in the primaries, even if they don't want to pick up a partisan ballot.
Miller said it isn't uncommon in Ohio for Republicans to vote in Democratic primaries, or vice versa, calling it a "valid choice." She said this is especially prevalent when someone lives in a gerrymandered district or the local politics of an area make elections uncompetitive in the general election.
"That can mean that the primary is actually the most important election. That when maps are rigged for one party to win over another party, what happens is the primary becomes whoever wins that primary is likely to win the general," Miller said.
When voters pick up a primary ballot, poll workers will ask whether they wish to pick up a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or unaffiliated ballot.
Miller said the League is nonpartisan and doesn't pick sides, but the organization encourages voters to vote their interests. She said this also applies if there's a "fervent" Libertarian, Republican or Democrat who sticks to their party in every election.
"When you vote your interests, that means thinking about the issues that are on the ballot, think about the candidates, think about those party dynamics," Miller said.
Miller stressed that it's important voters know that municipalities and schools will often put ballot issues and levies on the ballot in the primary election that will appear on everyone's ballots. This includes the unaffiliated ballot.
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano said in a press release there will be six property tax levies on the ballot this May. There is also a charter amendment for the city of Columbus to create an alternative to policing to respond to mental health and substance abuse calls.
Here are some key local legislative races to watch in Franklin County this May:
U.S. Congress:
Ohio's 3rd Congressional District (Represents central and northeast Franklin County, including the Short North, German Village, the University District, Bexley, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Whitehall and Worthington)
- Joyce Beatty (D)
- Cleophus Dulaney (R)
- Joe Gerard (D)
Ohio's 15th Congressional District (Represents southern Clark, Fayette, west and southern Franklin, Madison and northern Miami counties)
- Brennan Barrington (L)
- Mike Carey (R)
- Don Leonard (D)
- Adam C. Miller (D)
- Samuel Ronan (R)
Ohio House of Representatives
1st District (Represents central Franklin County).
- Dontavius Jarrells (D)
- Christopher Robbins (D)
- Joel A. Greff (R)
2nd District: (Represents eastern Franklin County)
- Michael D. Cole (D)
- Charity Martin King (D)
7th District: (Represents central Franklin County)
- Ukeme Awakessien Jeter (D)
- Michaela Burriss (D)
- William Mercier (R)
- Zach Rossfeld (D)
Ohio Senate
3rd District: (Represents southern Franklin, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, northern Perry and Pickaway counties)
- Stacie A. Baker (D)
- Michele Reynolds (R)
- Natasha Wheatley Caffrey (D)
25th District: (Represents western Franklin County)
- Jesse Baker (D)
- Bill DeMora (D)
- Don Roberts (R)
For more information, check out WOSU's voter guide online.
