Romanchuk, Wert may face opposition in 2016

MANSFIELD - State Rep. Mark Romanchuk and Richland County Commissioner Tim Wert both could face opposition in 2016.

Richland County's incumbent sheriff, prosecutor and the county clerk of courts also could face challenges, based on a list of potential candidates who have filed to run for primarily locally based statewide or countywide offices next year.

But three common pleas court judges now in office, one county commissioner and candidates for county recorder, treasurer, county engineer and coroner all could run unopposed - though new faces could replace long-time incumbents, in those latter two jobs.

Three people have taken out petitions to run for the 2nd District Ohio House seat, including incumbent Republican Mark J. Romanchuk, of Ontario. One Democrat, Brittany Bowman, of Shelby, also has petitions out — as does Tim Grady, of Lexington, as a nonpartisan candidate.

None had filed that paperwork as of Wednesday, when the Richland County Board of Elections office shut down for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

But deadline for the March 15 primary does not come around until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Incumbent County Commissioner Timothy A. Wert of Mansfield, a Republican, could face a primary in March. Three other Republicans have taken petitions out, including Bellville Mayor Darrell Banks; businessman David Morgenstern, of Shelby; and Phil Sydnor, of Washington Township. Democrat Ron Davis, of Franklin Township, a long-time union official, also has taken petitions out for Wert's seat.

A second county commissioner's seat comes open in 2016, but only incumbent Gary L. Utt, 329 Sixth Ave., Mansfield, has filed for that seat.

Incumbent sheriff J. Steve Sheldon of Ontario has officially filed to campaign for another four-year term, but would face Jerry A. Botdorf of Mansfield, another Republican who filed, in the March primary. The winner in the primary could face Democrat Matthew James Mayer of Madison Township, who has taken petitions out but not officially filed.

Bambi Couch Page of Lexington, the Democrat appointed as Richland County prosecutor following the death of James Mayer Jr., has filed to run for a four-year term, but Republican Gary D. Bishop of Plymouth, also has petitions out for the prosecutor's job.

Incumbent Richland County Clerk of Court Linda H. Frary, of Shelby, indicated she may run for another term. She could face a challenge next fall from Julia A. Leonard, of Lexington. Both have taken petitions out, but not yet filed them.

Two countywide officials are conspicuously absent from the list of people who stopped by the county board of elections for petitions paperwork:

Long-time Richland County Engineer Tom Beck of Ontario could be replaced by Adam Gove, of Weller Township, a Republican. Richland County Coroner Stewart Ryckman may be replaced by Daniel D. Burwell, of Mansfield, a family practitioner.

"I'm not running," Ryckman said. "I don't want to run for another four-year term if I couldn't fulfill it. I think Dan will do a good job," he added.

Beck could not immediately be reached for comment.

Three county-level judges so far appear to be unopposed: Common Pleas Court Judge Brent N. Robinson of Lexington; Domestic Relations Court Judge Heather M. Cockley of Mansfield; and Juvenile Court Judge Ron Spon of Ontario.

Other incumbents considering another four-year term who appear to have no challengers include County Recorder Sarah M. Davis, of Mansfield, a Republican, and County Treasurer Bart Hamilton, of Mansfield. Neither had turned in their petitions to the elections office yet as of Wednesday.

Seats for both political parties' central committee will come up for grabs March 15.

So far, Robert T. Rodgers, of Mansfield, is the only Republican to file.

Democrats running for their party's countywide central committee seat are Charles F. Pscholka, of Mansfield, and Don Bryant, of Mansfield.

Bryant said the Democratic Party chairman told him he could retain his current Mansfield city council at-large seat, and the central committee seat, if he won the primary.

"That's something I need to clarify (with elections officials)," he said. "I'd definitely stay on city council, if I had to choose between the two."

lmartz@gannett.com
419-521-7229
Twitter: @MNJmartz