Belmont County Primary Set
ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Thursday the Belmont County Board of Elections released the preliminary list of candidates who filed by Wednesday’s deadline for the May 5 primary election. The final list of those who will appear on the ballot still needs to be verified by the county.
“Our certification meeting is set for February 17, 2026, at 8:45 a.m.”, Eberle Ferrell, director of the Belmont County Board of Elections, said.
As has been the case in recent years, most of the competitive races will take place on the Republican ticket while Democrats will decide who will contest current Ohio 95th District House Representative Ty Moore for a full four-year term.
Moore was appointed to fill the position vacated by Don Jones last June when Jones accepted the position of State Executive Director for the Ohio Farm Service Agency of USDA.
The second state representative race for the 96th District covering the eastern half of the county will see incumbent Ron Ferguson challenged by former state senator Frank Hoagland for what will be an uncontested position on the November ballot.
In addition to the state representatives contest, Republicans will decide the November ballot candidate for county commissioner, auditor and judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
In the auditor’s race, incumbent Republican Cindi L. Henry will be challenged by three including former county commissioner Josh Meyer.
A second competitive race for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas will fill the seat currently held by Judge John A. Vavra who is age term limited.
Three Republicans are on the ballot seeking to replace retiring commissioner Jerry Echemann. The winner of the May 5 contest will face the single Democrat who also filed for the seat.
Races and Candidates
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Term beginning 1/1/2027)
- Kevin Flannagan (R), Bellaire
- Michael P. McCormick (R) , Bethesda
Judge of the Court of Common Please (Term Beginning 2/9/2027)
- Chris Berhalter (R), Martins Ferry
County Commissioner
- Dominic DeFelice (R), Shadyside
- Chuck Probst (R), Bridge port
- David C. Schafer (R), Bethesda
- Franklin Cecil Schafter, Jr. (D), Bellaire
County Auditor
- Jim Cook (R), St. Clairsville
- Nick Ferrelli (R), Shadyside
- Cindi L. Henry (R), St. Clairsville
- Josh Meyer (R) , Bellaire
State Representative 95th District
- Paul Cameron (D), St. Clairsville
- James Antoni Joyce (D), Athens
- Ty Moore, (R), Caldwell
State Representative 96th District
- Ron Ferguson (R) , Wintersville
- Frank Hoagland (R), Adena
Wednesday evening, following the filing deadline for May’s primary election, the campaign season is underway as candidates fan out across the county introducing themselves to city, village and township officials. Belmont was first up on the circuit.
[©Barnesville Area News Company photo]
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.