By HOLLY GASKILL
Last Wednesday was the last day for the Democratic Party, minor parties or independent candidates to toss names in the ring for the general election. According to Wells County Clerk Beth Davis, there were no additions as the deadline passed.
This means there will be one contested race at the county level — incumbent republicans Seth Whicker, Vicki Andrews and Scott Elzey are challenged for their At-Large County Council seats by Brian Hollingsworth (D) and Scott Burke (I).
Two school board elections will also have contests. For Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan Schools, Chris Koiner has challenged incumbent Trent White for the board’s District 3 seat. Two newcomers — Jeremiah Tomlin, Bluffton, and Catherine Peterson, Craigville — are running for the Lancaster Township seat, currently held by Angie Topp, on the Norwell Community Schools board of trustees.
Preston Kaehr is unopposed in his race for BHMSD’s At-Large seat. The seat is vacant, as board member Angie Sheets’ was recently appointed to the District 2 seat following Bruce Holland’s resignation. The board is slated to appoint someone to the seat at a special meeting on Tuesday, July 16. No candidates filed for Bruce Murray’s District 1 seat.
For NWCS, Todd Nash, Ossian, is unopposed for the Jefferson Township seat currently held by Gene Donaghy. Both races for Southern Wells Community Schools are also uncontested — Gregg Vanover, Warren, for Jackson Township, and incumbent Todd Fiechter, Bryant, for Nottingham Township.
All other candidates in Wells County are uncontested Republicans. They are:
• County Commissioner, District 2: Blake Gerber, Bluffton
• County Commissioner, District 1: Jeff Stringer, Uniondale
• Coroner: Cliff Thomas, Bluffton
• Recorder: Rina Stuck, Bluffton
• Surveyor: Jarrod Hahn, Keystone
• Treasurer: Pam Gregory, Bluffton
Candidates may withdrawal until July 15. Local ballot information is also available on wellscounty.org/elections.
holly@news-banner.com
