2026 May 5 Ohio
Ohio Primary May 5, 2026 – Statewide & Regionwide Democrat Candidates
We have been receiving many, many questions regarding sample ballots and/or endorsed candidates in the May 5, 2026 Ohio Primary Election. That is a very hopeful sign and this message is offered to help you support our candidates and through your vote open the paths that will lead them to victory in November. This note is a long one, but attempts to answer as many questions as possible regarding your questions and about this vote which are absolutely critical to our existence as a democracy. Thank you for asking, thank you for reviewing this, and most of all thank you for supporting a free and democratic future for our community, our children, and for future generations.
In Ohio, both the State Party, and County Parties follow the bylaws of the State Party as stated in part below:
Chapter 9: Pre-Primary Endorsements Section 1 – Incumbent Candidates Incumbent Democrats in any statewide office, to wit: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, Ohio Supreme Court Justices or Chief Justice; and incumbent Democrat for Federal or multi-county jurisdiction, to wit: U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio General Assembly, State Board of Education, Appellate Court of Ohio, shall receive a vote for endorsement of the Executive Committee. . . .
And from Chapter 9: Section 2 – Challenger and Open Seat Candidates – … The Executive Committee may, in the event of extraordinary circumstances, take up an endorsement of a challenger or open seat candidate. …
This year the Ohio Democratic Party Executive Committee found that there were “extraordinary circumstances” and did make an endorsement. For more information on that decision you may access this news article if desired.
Use this link to view candidates endorsed by the Ohio Democratic Party as provided by the Ohio County Democratic Chairs Association Democratic State Candidates Sample Ballot All candidates have an active online presence which can be found by searching that candidate’s name.
Use this link – https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/hocking/ballotlist.aspx to view a sample ballot for your specific Voting Precinct. If you are uncertain what Voting Precinct you live in you may use this link to find out – https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx
About State and Local Central Committee Candidates: Ohio law, Section 3517.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, requires elected Central Committees for the major political parties. State Central Committee Candidates must be members in good standing who live within statewide districts which coincide with the current statewide senate district maps. County Democratic Central Committees consisting of resident Democrats in good standing who are elected from each precinct, ward, or township. Both are elected during primary elections for either two or four-year terms. The State Party is on a 4-year cycle and the Hocking County Democratic Party observes a 2-year cycle. The law further requires that the State and County Central Committees govern party operations for their respective parties. By Party bylaws, Central Committee Leadership is to be split between female and male candidates.
This year all Democratic Central Committee candidates in Hocking County are unopposed. On the state level there are 4 Central Committee Candidates on the ballot.
To help you learn more about the candidates please See below:
For Member of State Central Committee, Woman (17th District) (Vote for not more than 1)
– Stacy Brooks
Interview with Stacy Brooks on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bLHuGp1fso8?si=6KkuIId_GBxGZFq3
Click here to view a flyer shared by the candidate
– Barbara J. Ward – will appear on the ballot, but has withdrawn her candidacy
For Member of State Central Committee, Man (17th District)(Full term commencing 1-2-2027)(Vote for not more than 1)
– Chase Brown
From the candidate
“Thank you for reaching out — and thank you to the Hocking County Democratic Party for the work you all are doing on the ground. It means a lot to know that folks across the district are paying attention and asking the right questions. Here’s a little about me and why I’m running:
Who I am: I’m a lifelong Pike County resident and attorney. I serve as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Pike County and run my own private practice. Before returning home to practice law, I spent several years in Columbus working for Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank, doing policy advocacy work at the state level. That experience gave me a real understanding of how state government works, where Democrats have leverage, and how to push for change from the inside. I’ve been a member of the Pike County Democratic Central Committee since 2018, and I’m the current Democratic State Central Committeeman for District 17. I also ran for Pike County Commissioner in 2020, so I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges of running a countywide race in Appalachian Ohio — the geography, the resources, the messaging, and what it takes to connect with voters in communities like ours.
Why I’m running: Rural Ohio Democrats need more from our own party. District 17 covers ten counties — Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Perry, Pike, Ross, and Vinton — and too often these communities are treated like an afterthought when it comes to organizing resources, candidate recruitment, and messaging. Having served one term on the State Central Committee, my focus has been pushing for more investment and attention to southern Ohio — and while there is still a long way to go, I’ve been genuinely encouraged by the growing momentum of the Ohio Dems Rural Caucus and the grassroots energy it has helped build across the region. I have a clear sense of what’s not working and a real commitment to fixing it.
What I want to accomplish:
– Real investment in rural county Democratic parties — staff, data, and organizing tools
– Recruiting and supporting local candidates at every level
– Messaging and platform work that actually speaks to working-class southern Ohioans
– Better coordination between our county parties and ODP leadership
– Pushing ODP to prioritize rural policy issues — broadband, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development
On that note — I’m currently working with Frances Strickland on an effort to organize clusters of rural counties across Ohio so we can share resources, strategies, and lift each other up for this election cycle and beyond. The western counties of the district are actually meeting this weekend in Piketon, and we’ll be in touch soon to coordinate with Hocking and its neighbors for the next meeting.”
– Terry Williams
From the candidate:
“I’m committed to making sure rural Democrats have our voices & values represented boldly on the state committee. My campaign website (www.ElectTerryWilliams.com) has a lot of information, and I am more than happy to speak with voters — either one-on-one, or in a forum if schedules allow. Feel free to share my email and phone number with any Democrat who wants a conversation: Terry.Williams.2006@OWU.edu 614.477.9317”
– For More Information please Link to the campaign web site by clicking here
A special note about the “Write in” for State Representative (92nd District)” entry that will appear on the ballot in Hocking County and across the 92nd district.
Under Ohio election law partisan candidates may request write-in status. One such candidate, Sarah Senff, has done so. She is the ONLY person for whom votes written in will be counted.
– Sarah Senff
From the candidate:
“Sarah Senff is an educator and community advocate native to Ross County. Upon seeing that no Democratic candidates filed in the Primary Election for State Rep in the 92nd District, she chose to run as a write-in candidate. The people of southern Ohio, especially those living along the edge of Appalachia, have been ignored and discounted for too long. They deserve to feel that someone is fighting the good fight with their interests in mind.
Writing in Sarah on the primary ballot is Democrats’ only available path to having a candidate on the November ballot, the only thing between Mark Johnson and a fourth term where nothing changes under the Republican supermajority. Republicans have had their chance, and it’s time to try something new.
Write in Sarah Senff as the Democratic nominee to the 92nd District of the Ohio House of Representatives, and ask your Democratic friends to do the same!
To learn more about Sarah and her plans for Ross, Hocking, Vinton, and Perry Counties, follow her on social media. Facebook: Sarah Senff for Ohio House “
– How to enter Sarah Senff’s name as a write in on your ballot so it will be counted as a vote for her – spelling is important.
