This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.

The League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County are non-partisan political organizations that promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and act on selected governmental issues. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.  The League is fully committed to ensure compliance—in principle and in practice—with the LWVUS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.  Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership.

Candidates for local elections

US Senator, US Representative to Congress, Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor of State, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, State Senator, State Representative, Ohio Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, State Central Committee—Candidates were invited to participate in the voter guide on VOTE411 by the League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund.

Portage County races—Candidates who filed their intent to run for office with the Board of Elections were sent questions relating to the office they were seeking by the LWV of Kent, as well as instructions on how to complete the candidate questionnaire.  

County Central Committee (Democratic)—candidates with opposition were invited to participate in the voter guide.  Only the precincts with candidates are listed in this publication.

The candidates invited by the LWV of Kent were asked to enter their responses on the VOTE411 website in accordance with the following guidelines.

The League of Women Voters of Kent reserves the right not to publish any material determined to be libelous, damaging to a person or group, or offensive in accordance with the League’s values and as outlined in its publishing policy.  It reserves the right to offer alternative wording to the candidate.  The League will not correct spelling, grammar or punctuation.  Each candidate is solely responsible for the text they submit, including the truth of his/her statements.  Each candidate is advised in writing to carefully note the word limitations listed on their questionnaire since no text beyond the word limit will be included.  A candidate’s answers are accepted and printed only with the understanding that the material will not be used in any way that may be deemed to be an endorsement by the League of his or her candidacy or views.

Visit www.vote411.org to view a side-by-side comparison of the candidates’ biographical information and all of the questions and answers.

Democratic candidates

Go to VOTE411.org for additional questions/answers and responses after the deadline.

PORTAGE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - GENERAL DIVISION

Democratic No valid petition filed.

PORTAGE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - JUVENILE/PROBATE DIVISIONS

Democratic: Patricia J. Smith— Candidate has not responded.   

PORTAGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER TERM COMM. 1-1-2027

Democratic: Jenny D. Adams    

• Campaign Email: adams4portagecommissioner@gmail.com
• Campaign Website: www.adamsforcommissioner.com/
• Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579320976854
• Education: Crestwood Schools, Kent State graduate
• Training & Experience: Daycare center director, Kindercare Hudson; Regional Director of Expansion, Kindercare; Inside Sales Manager, Aironet; Product Manager, Cisco Systems; Business owner, Looking Glass Learning Centers
• Volunteer & Community Service: Director, CASA of Portage County Associate Board. Volunteer, Shepherds House, Ravenna Ohio. Board member, Celebrate Portage. 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN THE OPERATIONS OF PORTAGE COUNTY?

County commissioners make up the general administrative body for county government. They are the county government taxing, budgeting, appropriating, and purchasing authority. They hold title to county property. Commissioners responsibilities include hearing and ruling on annexations, approving drainage improvements, establishing water and sewer districts and making improvements, and providing for solid waste disposal. Commissioners appoint department heads of offices for which they have responsibility and also appoint members to a variety of boards and commissions. They serve on some boards such as the board of revision, the county records commission, and the planning commission. Commissioners must work with all other county elected officials and with judges to assure that they are properly funded to to perform their statutory duties. County commissioners must take a broad view of actions necessary to make the county a better place to live work and play

PORTAGE COUNTY AUDITOR

Democratic: No valid petition filed.

The Portage County Democratic Central Committee

Consists of one member from each election precinct in the county elected at the primary in even-numbered years for a term of 4 years. The term begins 5/18/2026.

The following are the contested races.  Vote for not more than one.

Portage Co. Central Committee Brimfield C-Democratic

Sara E. Ashley-Cook— Candidate has not responded.

Gene Brown

• Education:  He is a graduate of The University of Akron with a degree in Sales and Merchandising Technology, bringing a strong foundation in strategic planning, communication, and organizational leadership.
• Training & Experience: Gene Brown is a lifelong public servant with more than 22 years of experience on Ravenna City Council, where he has focused on strengthening neighborhoods, improving city services, and expanding opportunities for families across the community.
• Volunteer & Community Service: Brown has dedicated himself to volunteer service. Including work with youth empowerment initiatives, minority health programs, and local civic organizations

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE MUST ADDRESS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

The most important issues for the Portage County Central Committee include strengthening voter engagement, improving transparency in local government, and supporting policies that promote economic stability for families. The Committee also plays a key role in addressing community concerns such as public safety, access to quality education, and fair representation across all townships and municipalities.  With Portage County’s diverse communities, the Committee must focus on building trust in new leadership, expanding civic participation, and ensuring that every resident has a voice in shaping the county’s future.

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 3-B-Democratic (Vote for not more than 1)

Audrey Cielinski Kessler

• Campaign Email: audck@neo.rr.com
• Education: Bachelor of Journalism, The University of Texas at Austin
• Training & Experience: self-employed writer/editor and owner of The Write Hand of Ohio
• Volunteer & Community Service: current Central Committee member; Portage County Mental Health & Recovery Board; Board of Building Appeals; Society of Professional Journalists; LWV-Kent; Kent Historical Society  

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE MUST ADDRESS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

Advocate for free and fair elections at all levels of government; work against voter disenfranchisement and for increased voting accessibility, breaking down barriers to voting rather than constructing roadblocks; stress to voters at the precinct level the importance of voting as a tool to affect change beneficial to the community and to democracy; stress to precinct voters that voting matters; staying home is not an option when democracy and the rule of law continue to be threatened at both the state and national levels; stress the importance of speaking up and speaking out in favor of inclusion rather than exclusion; making our collective democratic voices heard and remaining united and never silenced. Precinct-level organizing can be an effective way to address these issues. One individual, when part of a group, can make a positive difference through active engagement in the political process. As individuals rally together, speak out and vote, positive change can happen.

Robin G. Turner— Candidate has not responded.

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna Twp E-Democratic

Randi Clites— Candidate has not responded.

Hank T. Gibson-Lampley

• Campaign Email: hankthegman@aol.com
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Political Science/ Criminal Justice from the University of Akron
• Training & Experience: Over 33 years work experience in the public sector as Probation officer, Human Resource Officer with the Portage Co. Engineer, member of Ravenna School District School Board, Trustee of Ravenna Township.
• Volunteer & Community Service: Past member of the Lion’s Club, youth football, baseball and basketball coach, Ohio High School Association softball and basketball official.

 WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE MUST ADDRESS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

The committee must attract Genz and Millennials to compliment the aging committee. The committee must welcome and embrace the fresh ideas offered by the GenZ and Millennials because they are the future of the party. The aforementioned generation will bring energy, knowledge, and the technical skills sorely needed and necessary to reach the population that is profoundly needed in the Portage County Democratic electorate. The current state of the Portage County Democratic Central Committee is waning in membership, and it needs an energetic, strong, and resilient leader to revitalize the party and attract quality candidates to compete at the local and state level. It is critical that the Central Committee membership work tirelessly to fill large number of vacant seats on the Democratic Central Committee. With the soon departure of the current leadership and finding the appropriate person to guide the party over the next 4 to 8 years and resurrect the dominance the local party once held.

The following are the uncontested races.

Portage Co. Central Committee Aurora 2-B-Democratic— Kelly Clary

Portage Co. Central Committee Aurora 4-A-Democratic— John Fellenstein

Portage Co. Central Committee Aurora 4-B-Democratic— Molly Kudley Schneider

Portage Co. Central Committee Brimfield B-Democratic— Monica M. Kaley

Portage Co. Central Committee Deerfield B-Democratic— Logan Harrah

Portage Co. Central Committee Franklin B-Democratic— Leota Reale

Portage Co. Central Committee Franklin D-Democratic— Robert M. Howard

Portage Co. Central Committee Franklin E-Democratic— John Avouris

Portage Co. Central Committee Freedom B-Democratic— Diane Davis

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 1-D-Democratic— Jennifer D. Adams

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 2-B-Democratic— Christopher E. Clevenger

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 2-D-Democratic— Heidi L. Weisel (Write-in Candidate)

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 3-C-Democratic— Michael Alan DeLuke

Portage Co. Central Committee Kent 5-B-Democratic— Jon Barber

Portage Co. Central Committee Mantua Twp A-Democratic— Tamara Lyons

Portage Co. Central Committee Mantua Twp B-Democratic— Theresa Nielsen

Portage Co. Central Committee Mantua Village-Democratic— Roseanne Maloney

Portage Co. Central Committee Palmyra B-Democratic— William Lane

Portage Co. Central Committee Paris A-Democratic— Holly Ann Weckerly Brunswick

Portage Co. Central Committee Paris B-Democratic— Denise L. Smith

Portage Co. Central Committee Randolph B-Democratic— Erin Myrla

Portage Co. Central Committee Randolph C-Democratic— Gary L. Horning

Portage Co. Central Committee Randolph D-Democratic— Ruth E. Stephens

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna 1B - Democratic— Mark A. Hairston

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna 2A-Democratic— Bruce R. Ribelin

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna 2B-Democratic— Tiffany D. Welling

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna 3B-Democratic— Carmen Lisa Laudato

Portage Co. Central Committee Ravenna Twp B-Democratic— Whitney Franklin Hairston

Portage Co. Central Committee Rootstown A-Democratic— Bonnie M. Howe

Portage Co. Central Committee Rootstown C-Democratic— Misty Dulaney

Portage Co. Central Committee Shalersville B-Democratic— James M. Tighe

Portage Co. Central Committee Streetsboro 3-B-Democratic— Marvin Woods

Portage Co. Central Committee Suffield A-Democratic— Christopher J. Mallin

Portage Co. Central Committee Windham Village B-Democratic— Norma K. Thomas

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

Go to VOTE411.org for additional questions/answers and responses after the deadline.

PORTAGE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - GENERAL DIVISION

Republican: Becky L. Doherty

• Education: B.A. University of Akron, Law Degree University of Akron
• Work Experience: Assistant Summit County Prosecutor, Chief Criminal Prosecutor Mahoning County, Common Pleas Judge since 2015

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS PARTICULAR COURT SEAT?

I am seeking re-election to the Common Pleas bench.  I have served the county as effectively and efficiently as possible during the past 12 years, and hope to continue doing so.  I established HOPE Drug Court in 2017 and it has been awarded and recognized as a leader in specialized dockets throughout the state of Ohio. 

PORTAGE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - JUVENILE/PROBATE DIVISIONS

Republican— No valid petition filed.

PORTAGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER TERM COMM. 1-1-2027

Republican: Mike Tinlin— Candidate has not responded.

PORTAGE COUNTY AUDITOR

Republican: Matt Kelly

• Campaign Email: mattkelly317@gmail.com
• Campaign Website: 
• Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/18NKY3DWGf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Education: Walsh University - B.A. Business Administration (2000-2002), Akron University - A.A. Fire Protection (1995-1999), Community College of the Air Force - A.A. Fire Science (1995-2004) 
• Training & Experience: Portage County Auditor since 2023, Mogadore Village Councilman 14 years, U.S. Air Force Veteran
• Volunteer & Community Service: Walk a Mile for the 22, Raven Packs, Wreaths Across America, Portage County Veterans events, numerous other community events

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR IN THE OPERATIONS OF PORTAGE COUNTY?

As the County’s Chief Fiscal Officer and Tax Assessor, the Auditor manages all financial operations and property tax administration.

Core Responsibilities:

• Fiscal Oversight: No contract or obligation is valid without the Auditor’s certification that funds are available. The office acts as the central disbursing agent, paying all creditors and managing payroll for all County agencies.
• Tax Administration: The Auditor establishes tax rates for real estate, personal property, and manufactured homes, later distributing collected funds to local government entities.
• Statutory Leadership: The Auditor serves as Secretary for the Board of Revision and the County Budget Commission, and acts as the Administrator for the Data Processing Board.
• In essence, the Auditor ensures the legal and transparent flow of money between the County, its taxpayers, and local political subdivisions.