(Posted Feb. 18, 2019)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Two contested races will appear on the May 7 primary election ballot in London.
Two candidates filed petitions to run for London city council president and four filed petitions to run for city council at-large. The filing deadline was Feb. 6. The Madison County Board of Elections certified the results on Feb. 12. All of the primary election candidates are Republicans.
Henry Comer, currently an at-large council member, is running against incumbent Joe Russell for council president. The seat comes with a two-year term.
Three at-large council seats are up for election. Joshua Peters is seeking re-election. Also vying for the seats are Carla Blazier, Michael Norman and John Stahl. The top three vote getters will move on to the general election in November. Brenda Russell, currently an at-large council member, said she plans to seek re-election as an Independent in the general election. At-large seats come with two-year terms.
All other candidates on the primary ballot are running unopposed for London seats. All are seeking re-election:
- Patrick Closser–mayor, four-year term;
- Lora Long–auditor, four-year term;
- Jennifer Hitt–law director, four-year term;
- Andrew Hitt–council Ward 1, two-year term;
- Richard Hays–council Ward 2, two-year term;
- Anthony Smith–council Ward 3, two-year term; and
- Rex Castle–council Ward 4, two-year term.
No primary in West Jefferson
Ray Martin was the only candidate to file for the West Jefferson mayor’s position. He is finishing his first four-year term. At least three candidates had to file for a primary to take place in West Jefferson.
Voter Registration
The deadline to register to vote in the May primary is April 8. Absentee voting starts April 9. Absentee voting applications are available online at madison.ohioboe.com or by calling (740) 852-9424. The Madison County Board of Elections is located at 1423 State Rte. 38 SE, London, just north of Fairhaven School. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
