Board of Elections certifies candidates for row offices

Election board workers prepare machines at the Lucas County Board of Elections.

The Lucas County Board of Elections certified all the candidates for county row offices, state house and senate, judgeships, congressional districts, and the state party central committees for the May 8 primary election.

The board members — Republicans David Karmol and Bruce Saferin and Democrats Brenda Hill and Joshua Hughes — gave unanimous approval Tuesday for certifying candidates after reviewing petitions for valid signatures and voting addresses.

Only one candidate was disqualified for the primary ballot.

The petition of Matthew Barry for the Republican nomination for the state 46th House District was rejected because he failed to get the required valid signatures of residents living in the district for his petition.

The board also received notice from Nathaniel Livingston, Jr., that he withdrew his candidacy Tuesday for the 45th House District Democratic primary, allowing Lisa Sobecki  to run as the party's sole candidate.

Mr. Livingston said he put his campaign for the house district seat on hold because of issues he has with the local Democratic party. Instead, he said he will focus on filing petitions as an independent and running in the general election.

"I think it would be to my benefit not to participate in the primary election," he said. "I would bet money my name will be on the ballot in November."

Among the contested Republican primaries is the party's nomination for county treasurer. Lori Brodie, who is the mayor of Waterville, and Brent McCormack of Toledo are opposing each other.

In state House elections, the board certified incumbent Rep. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) will face Monclova Township trustee Barbara Lang for the 47th District Republican contest.

The deadline for people to file petitions to run as independent candidates is May 7, the day before the primary.

The elections board certified the 600 declarations for candidacy filed to run the 312 Republican precinct committee positions. The filings submitted by two candidates were disqualified because of conflicting information on file with the board of elections.

James Traver of Toledo and Joseph Kiss II of Jerusalem Township were disqualified because their addresses did not match voter registration information.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199