Presidential and state races to see primary challenges

Ohio Republican voters will have a choice on the March 17 primary ballot of President Donald Trump or former Massachusetts governor William Weld while Democratic voters will have more than a dozen choices.

Candidates had until Wednesday Dec. 18 to file to run in the upcoming primary, which will be held March 17 in Ohio.

Democrats filing paperwork for the presidential primary include: Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg, Cory Booker, Julian Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Deval Patrick, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, and Andrew Yang.

Other states holding a March 17 presidential primary include Arizona, Florida and Illinois. The St. Patrick’s Day primary comes after 25 other states hold their primaries or caucuses.

Related: Ohio moves presidential primary to St. Patrick's Day

While the presidential primary soaks up most of the attention, Ohio voters will also make picks for judicial and legislative races.

Ohio Supreme Court: Republican incumbents Judith French and Sharon Kennedy filed for the primary while Democrats Jennifer Brunner, the former secretary of state, and Judge John P. O'Donnell are seeking their party nomination. For the general election, the match ups would be French against Brunner and Kennedy against O'Donnell.

Ohio General Assembly: All 99 House districts and half of the 33 Senate districts are up for re-election next year. House Democrats elected to field candidates in 83 of the 99 seats while House Republicans have candidates in 94 districts.

Local Ohio Senate races: The 4th District (much of Butler County) and 6th District (southeastern, east and northeastern Montgomery County) — are up for grabs since incumbent Republicans Bill Coley and Peggy Lehner aren't running for re-election.

In the 4th District, Democrat Kathy Wyenandt has no primary but on the Republican side it’ll be a three-way race between Lee Wong, George Lang and Candice Keller.

In the 6th District, there will be primaries in both parties. Republicans Niraj Antani, a current state representative, business owner Greg Robinson and Rachel Selby, a fundraiser for Dayton Children’s Hospital, will face off. In the Democratic primary it’ll be Mark Fogel against Albert Griggs, Jr.

Incumbent Republican Bob Hackett of London is seeking re-election in the 10th District while Democrat Charles Ballard has no opposition. The two will likely face off in the general election.

Local Ohio House races: The hottest contest will likely be the Democratic primary race for the 39th District (West Dayton, Jefferson Twp.), a seat being vacated by Democrat Fred Strahorn of Dayton. Democrats Willis Blackshear, Jr., Walter Hickman, Jr. and Jo'el Thomas-Jones will face off. John F. Mullins III is the only Republican running.

Related: Ohio House votes to block local bans, fees on plastic grocery bags

40th (Englewood, Vandalia, Huber Heights): Incumbent Republican Phil Plummer and Democrat Leronda Jackson are running for their parties’ nominations.

41st (Kettering, Oakwood, parts of Centerville): Republican Andrea White and Democrat Cate Berger are running for their parties’ nominations. Incumbent Jim Butler is not seeking re-election.

42nd (Miamisburg, Miami Twp, Centerville): Republicans Jacob Stubbs and Tom Young will face off in the GOP primary. Democrat John Dinsmore and Independent Brian Hyer are also running.

43rd (Preble County, western Montgomery County): Incumbent Republican J. Todd Smith faces primary challenge from Rodney Creech. Democrat Amy Cox doesn’t have a primary opponent.

51st (Fairfield, Hamilton, Butler County): Incumbent Republican Sara Carruthers is the only candidate from either party running.

52nd (Liberty Twp., West Chester Twp., Monroe): Incumbent George Lang is running for the Senate and Republicans Jennifer Gross and Mark Welch filed petitions to run in the GOP primary. Democrat Chuck Horn has no primary opponent.

53rd (North and western Butler County): Incumbent Candice Keller is running for the Senate, opening the door for Republicans Diane Mullins, Jeff Wellbaum, Thomas Hall and Brett Guido to file paperwork to run in the GOP primary. Democrat Michelle Novak doesn’t have primary opposition.

54th (Mason, Franklin, Warren County): Republican incumbent Paul Zeltwanger and Democrat Morgan Showen filed to run for their parties’ nominations.

62nd (Springboro, Waynesville, Warren County): Republican incumbent Scott Lipps and Democrat Erin Rosiello filed to run for their parties’ nominations.

73rd (western Greene County): Incumbent Republican Rick Perales cannot run again due to term limits. Republicans John Broughton and Brian Lampton are each seeking the GOP nomination. Democrat Kim McCarthy faces no primary opposition.

74th (Greene, Clark and Madison counties): Incumbent Republican Bill Dean is the only candidate seeking the office from either party.

79th (Western Clark County): Incumbent Republican Kyle Koehler is running for re-election and Democrat Cynthia Richards is seeking her party nomination.

80th (Parts of Darke and Miami counties): Incumbent Republican Jena Powell is running for re-election. Democrat Ted Jones is running for his party nomination.

85th (Shelby and Champaign counties): Incumbent Republican Nino Vitale is the only candidate running for the seat from either party.

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