Seneca County Certifies Primary Election Petitions

Commissioner, 30 committee races set for May 5 primary

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Seneca County Board of Elections certified petitions on Monday for the May 5 primary election, solidifying the field for a county commissioner race and confirming a slate of 30 contested races for the Republican Central Committee.

Why it matters

The county commissioner race and the Republican Central Committee elections are important local political contests that will shape the direction of Seneca County government and the local Republican party in the coming years.

The details

The board certified petitions for incumbent Republican Bill Frankart and Republican challenger Jim Distel to face off in the primary for Seneca County Commissioner. Two other incumbents, Republican Julie Adkins for Seneca County Auditor and Judge Jay A. Meyer for the Common Pleas Court Probate Division, were certified to run unopposed. The board also certified candidates for 30 of the 51 seats on the Republican Central Committee, which serves as the governing body of the county party.

  • The Seneca County Board of Elections certified the petitions on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The primary election is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

The players

Bill Frankart

Incumbent Republican Seneca County Commissioner.

Jim Distel

Republican challenger for Seneca County Commissioner.

Julie Adkins

Incumbent Republican Seneca County Auditor.

Jay A. Meyer

Incumbent Republican Judge for the Seneca County Common Pleas Court Probate Division.

Derek DeVine

Seneca County Prosecutor who advised the board on petition approvals.

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What they’re saying

“We must be guided by the Ohio Supreme Court precedent, which mandates that a determination as to whether the filing constitutes substantial compliance... favor is allowing candidates to see election.”

— Derek DeVine, Seneca County Prosecutor (thecourier.com)

What’s next

The primary election will be held on May 5, 2026, where voters will decide the Republican nominee for Seneca County Commissioner and elect members of the Republican Central Committee.

The takeaway

This election cycle will be an important test of the local Republican party's strength and direction in Seneca County, with contested races for key positions like county commissioner and central committee seats.