In the News

RICHLAND COUNTY — Four Democrats have filed to run for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District seat, setting up a primary race ahead of the 2026 general election.

The candidates include Brian A. Shaver, Scott E. Tabor, Martin M. Heberling III and Daniel John Burket. The seat is currently held by Republican Bob Latta.

Voters will choose one Democratic nominee to advance to the general election. The U.S. House seat carries a two-year term, running from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2028. Members of Congress earn a salary of around $174,000, along with federal benefits.

Four Democratis, Six Questions

The Advertiser-Tribune submitted the same questions to all four candidates ahead of the May 5 Democratic primary for Ohio's 5th Congressional District. Responses have been edited for length where they exceeded the 250-word limit. 

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, a Republican from Bowling Green, Ohio, gives a tour of the Capitol to students from Fort Recovery Middle School, on Oct. 28, 2025. 

Four Democrats will face off against each other in May to oppose him on the November ballot.(Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com) 

Ohioans affiliated with both major political parties will decide next month who will run in the fall to be the next secretary of state. On the Democratic side, the contest pits an oncologist specializing in leukemia against the former leader of Democrats in the Ohio House. 

FINDLAY — The Democratic primary for attorney general includes an unusual feature.

Political parties in Ohio typically don’t endorse in primaries, waiting for voters to nominate a candidate before getting involved.

But the Ohio Democratic Party has endorsed one of the two Democrats running for attorney general, asking Democratic voters to back John Kulewicz over Elliot Forhan. The party’s executive committee recently met by video and endorsed Kulewicz.

The party has stayed out of other primary contests, such as the secretary of state race between Democrats Dr. Bryan Hambley and state Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington.