Election preview: A look at the races, issues on the ballot in May 2026

May primaries are just around the corner, and Portage County voters will see a number of familiar names in dozens of uncontested races, as well as a few contested ones. On the ballot are candidates for state representative of Ohio’s 72nd district, Portage County commissioner, Portage County Common Pleas Court judges and Portage County auditor.

Residents who are affiliated with a political party will only receive ballots listing the names of that party’s candidates. Unaffiliated voters receive an issues-only ballot. On the line are two school levies, three fire and EMS levies, a county-wide Job and Family Services of Portage County levy, a library levy, an income tax increase and a local liquor option.

The voter registration deadline for the May 5 primary is April 6. Early in-office voting begins April 7 at the Board of Elections and continues through May 3. And for those who wish to vote absentee, absentee ballot requests are due April 28. Those ballots can begin being mailed in on April 7.

Statehouse

Running for state representative of Ohio’s 72nd district are Democrat Jeff Clapper, Republican Heidi Workman and Libertarian Michael Fricke. They will all officially face one another in the November general election.

Clapper currently serves the city of Kent as a Ward 6 council member. Describing himself as an owner/operator truck driver who hits the road at 4:30 a.m. every day, he said he feels the financial struggles people face.

Clapper said Kent will remain his home even if he prevails in the November general election. As District 72’s state representative, he said he would “want Ohioans to feel like their tax dollars are being spent wisely and they are getting noticeable, direct benefits from them.”

“As state rep, I want to ensure that all Ohioans are paid a fair living wage, have access to affordable, quality healthcare and childcare, a good education and that the cost of living is not being inflated by corporate greed,” he said.

Clapper started his term as Kent’s Ward 6 council representative Jan. 1, 2024, and is slated to serve until Dec. 31, 2027. Declining to name names, he said “a group of like-minded Democrats that are also seeking office” asked him to run for the statehouse seat.

“It is very important to serve my community in the best way I can and, after much consideration, I decided to give it a go,” he said.

Noting his involvement in the campaign for statewide marijuana reform, Fricke said his party represents “a sensible center option for those tired of the intractable left and right.”

He said his campaign is focused on highlighting what he characterized as corruption in the Republican party.

“The Republican majority attained through gerrymandering and ignoring the will of the voters is precisely the problem,” he said.

Incumbent Workman did not respond to The Portager’s request for comment. She directed all inquiries to her official website.

County commissioner

On the county level, voters choosing a Democratic party ballot will see candidate Jenny D. Adams’ name, while those affiliated with the Republican party will see the name of incumbent county Commissioner Mike Tinlin.

Adams is a Shalersville resident and owner of Looking Glass Learning Center, which has locations in Kent and Brimfield. The entrepreneurial skillset that includes leadership, accountability and strategic thinking directly translates into public service, she said.

Should voters choose her to represent them, Adams said she will work to see that county departments are funded and staffed properly.

“I pledge to be responsible with the county’s budget, confront the current mismanagement and address people’s concerns over property taxes,” she said. She added that “our farmland is a huge resource and benefit to us, and I plan to offer a means to preserve it and our rural heritage.”

Despite county coffers experiencing a $4.1 million shortfall this year, Adams said that since 2022, county commissioners have increased some departmental budgets by 27% to 54%. County commissioners have not yet ratified the 2026 budget because department requests are coming in higher than expected, she said.

“Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, we need leadership that will work together to fix the crisis that these commissioners have created. That is not a partisan issue. Where’s our fiscal responsibility? she asked.

Portage County Finance Director Jaclyn Petty confirmed that Petty’s numbers are accurate, but stated that the commissioners expect to adopt a budget by April 1. She attributed year-over-year budget increases for some of the county’s 29 departments to capital improvements for aging buildings, IT cybersecurity improvements, more expensive service contracts and equipment replacements and added that Ohio law, not the county commissioners, dictate some departmental budgets.

Incumbent Tinlin told The Portager he has been in public service since he was 14 years old. Citing experience in the funeral service, EMS, fire and law enforcement, he said “serving others isn’t just something I do; it’s who I am and I absolutely love what I do.”

Looking forward, Tinlin said he would focus on bringing industry to Portage County. That, he said, helps homeowners.

“The more work, the more people spend money in our area and purchase a home. Bringing in business assets our economy,” he said. 

He stated that his Republican party affiliation doesn’t dictate his decisions or his personal interactions.

“I talk to the residents, hear their concerns and let their experiences assist me in making my decisions. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I represent everyone because public service isn’t about me. It’s about the people I serve,” he said.

Other (non-) races

Voters affiliated with the Republican party will also see the names of incumbent county Auditor Matt Kelly and incumbent Portage County Court of Common Pleas Judge Becky Doherty. No candidates are running in opposition.

Voters affiliated with the Democratic party will see the name of incumbent Portage County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile/Probate Division Judge Patricia J. Smith. No candidates affiliated with any other party are running in opposition.

Issues

Voters in two school districts will decide school levies that would result in tax increases.

Kent City School District: 9.8-mill additional tax levy to fund current expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $343 per $100,000 of valuation, while providing Kent schools with $8,522,335 annually for a continuing period of time.

Streetsboro City School District: 7-mill additional tax levy to fund current expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $245 per $100,000 valuation while providing Streetsboro schools with $5,454,878 annually for five years, starting in 2026.

Countywide, voters will determine if they want to lend a hand to those in need.

Job & Family Services of Portage County: 0.4-mill additional tax levy to fund public assistance. If approved, the levy would cost property owners countywide $14 per $100,000 of valuation while providing JFS with $2,451,896 annually for five years commencing in 2026.

Ravenna voters will face two measures, one of which would affect local pocketbooks for three decades.

City of Ravenna: 0.25% income tax increase to fund construction of a new fire and police station and city hall construction. If approved, the tax increase would be in effect for 30 years commencing July 1, 2026.

Reed Memorial Library: 1.5-mill renewal tax levy to fund current expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $28 per $100,000 of valuation while providing the library with $489,542 annually for five years, beginning in 2026. Renewal tax levies do not raise taxes.

Voters in Garrettsville and Freedom and Nelson townships will decide if they want to continue funding EMS service.

Community Emergency Medical Services: 1.5-mill additional tax levy to fund EMS services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $53 per $100,000 while providing CEMS with $416,309 annually for five years, commencing in 2026. CEMS serves Garrettsville and Nelson and Freedom townships.

Emergency services are also on the ballot for two townships.

Palmyra Township: 2-mill renewal tax levy to fund fire and EMS services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $36 per $100,000 of valuation while providing the fire department with $117,649 annually for five years commencing in 2026. Renewal tax levies do not raise taxes.

Randolph Township: 5-mill renewal tax levy to fund fire and EMS services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $111 per $100,000 of valuation while providing the fire department with $662,410 annually for five years commencing in 2026. Renewal tax levies do not raise taxes.

Some Deerfield voters will decide whether a local drive-thru will get the green light to let the good times roll.

Deerfield Township, Precinct A: Local Liquor Option. If approved, MJEJ Enterprises, LLC would be authorized to engage in Sunday sales of wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor at the drive-thru located at 1594 state Route 14.