The Ohio Primary Election is next Tuesday hence why, at least for Lakota, we have the day off. Millions of Ohioans across the state will go to the polls and choose, at least for their parties, who they want to be their Democratic or Republican nominees. Major elections on the ballot: the Presidential Election, Senate Election, and various State Senate & State Representative elections.
On the Presidential Primary Ballots, Democrats will have Joe Biden as the sole nominee following Democratic longshot hopeful Rep. Dean Phillips [MN-3] dropping out. For the Republicans, while some former candidates may still appear, the sole option is pretty much Fmr. President Donald J. Trump, who, after Fmr. Ambassador Nikki Haley dropped out, is considered the nominee presumptive. President Trump and President Biden have both briefly battled over Ohio with dueling press conferences (albeit nearly a year apart) in East Palestine focusing on the disaster, the relief efforts, but also who’s to blame for the train derailment.
President Trump focused on President Biden’s at the time $171 million aid package to Ukraine saying he hopes that he [President Biden] “has got some left over”. The aid to Ukraine has since surpassed $165 billion in total – double the annual operating budget for the State of Ohio. President Biden visited a year following the disaster, which garnered him a poor response from the residents of East Palestine. The visit was intended to be non-political however, it was criticized heavily by local and statewide Ohioan politicians for its insensitivity since it came a year late.
Another big election this year is that of the Senate Campaign. In this primary, Republicans will choose which of the Republican three candidates running, can take on Democratic Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown. The three candidates are Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Cleveland car salesman Bernie Moreno, and State Senator Matt Dolan. The polls are neck and neck with LaRose only taking a 2% lead according to his team. In terms of the general election, all three candidates are expected to have pretty much even chances against Sen. Brown.
Bernie Moreno has the endorsement of President Trump and Senator JD Vance, significantly helping him in the primary, however, it is currently unclear if President Trump’s endorsement will help or hurt him in the November Election. Dolan has the major endorsement of Mayor Trent R. Conaway of East Palestine, whose village has come under national attention for the derailment. As for Butler County, while Moreno has the Butler County Republican Party’s endorsement, popular Sheriff Jones of Butler County has endorsed Frank LaRose.
“Frank LaRose is the fighter we need in the U.S. Senate. He’s the only candidate with a clear plan to fight the fentanyl crisis, secure our border, and stand up for conservative values. He’s a family man, a conservative champion, and a combat veteran who always puts the needs of Ohio and our nation first. I’m proud to endorse him as our next United States Senator.” Butler County Sheriff Jones said.
As for the Congressional Election, Congressman Warren Davidson OH-8 is running for re-election. The 8th Congressional District covers all of Butler, Preble, Darke County, and parts of Hamilton and Miami County.
Butler County’s local election will cover a range of candidates in various Ohio State Senate and House Districts. For the Ohio 4th State Senate District, a district encompassing Hamilton, West Chester, and other surrounding cities, State Sen. George Lang is running for re-election. For State Representative, West Chester’s Jennifer Gross, Middletown’s Thomas Hall, and Hamilton’s Sara Carruthers are all seeking re-election, with Carruthers facing a primary challenger and not endorsed by the Butler County Republican Party. Carruthers however, remains endorsed by Ohio Right to Life, the Buckeye Firearms Association, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and the NRA, and is heavily favored to win.
For more information on who’s running click here. For information as to what else is on the ballot click here.
