The Candidates listed here will be on the 2024 General Election Ballot , Tuesday, November 5. Click here to register or update your registration. Click here to print out an Absentee ballot request form (applications for the November '24 General Election will be accepted by the Richland County Board of Elections until October 29). For questions or more information, go to VoteOhio.gov or call the Richland County BOE, 419-774-5530.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES 2024
Senator Brown is running for re-election this year and is a target for Republicans who want to take back the Senate. Born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, Sherrod saw firsthand how corporations lobbied for tax breaks and bad trade deals that shipped Ohio jobs overseas. That’s why he’s always opposed unfair trade deals that hurt Ohio workers and why he stood up to his own party to lead the opposition against NAFTA.
Sherrod has dedicated his life to fighting for Ohioans and the Dignity of Work — a concept inspired by the work and writings of Pope Leo XIII and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s the belief that hard work should pay off for everyone, no matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of work you do. Whether you punch a clock or swipe a badge, earn a salary or make tips, raising children or caring for an aging parent, Sherrod is fighting for you. MORE
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Tamie Wilson is an entrepreneur, single mom, and an advocate for all Ohio families. She has made it her life’s work to help people live happier healthier lives. As an Ohio native, she knows that the everyday lives of Ohioans are often forgotten in the headlines and culture wars of Washington DC.
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For Tamie, representing the people of Ohio’s 4th Congressional district is less about high profile headlines and cable news appearances. Instead, it needs to be about addressing the challenges facing Ohioans, much of which she has experienced personally.
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It’s time to solve problems and produce results that will actually improve lives. It’s time to focus on us here in Ohio's Fourth District. Tamie Wilson is running to send the message that Congress should be less about making headlines and more about serving us, right here at home! MORE
Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart is a hardworking and fair jurist who is dedicated to protecting Ohioans' freedoms. She strives for finding consensus with colleagues and authoring opinions that are well-grounded in the rule of law and easily understood. Her record shows that she will ensure the Ohio Supreme Court remains an independent and co-equal branch of government, protecting the rights of all Ohioans.
Justice Stewart is the only African American woman to be elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in its long history. Prior to becoming a Justice on the Supreme Court, she was elected to the Ohio Court of Appeals - Eighth District where she served for 12 years. Before becoming a Judge, Justice Stewart spent most of her legal career doing civil defense litigation and teaching law.
Stewart is a classically trained pianist with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She got her law degree from the College of Law at Cleveland State University, and a Ph.D. from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
Justice Stewart has spent countless hours volunteering in the community and has served on many boards and commissions. In recognition of her work on the Supreme Court, she has received numerous honors and awards. MORE
Justice Michael P. Donnelly was sworn in to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court in January 2019 following his impressive landslide victory in the previous year’s statewide General Election. During his time on the bench Justice Donnelly’s independence, impartiality, insight, and knowledge have earned the respect of his colleagues, the legal community, and the citizens of Ohio. His thoughtful votes and well-reasoned opinions reflect his unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that every person receives equal treatment under the law. MORE
Elected to the Ohio Court of Appeals, 8th District, in 2020, Judge Lisa Forbes has extensive experience as a trial lawyer in courts across Ohio at both the state and federal levels. Her expert approach to handling intricate cases has earned her the highest peer rating by lawyers.
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During a 30-year career as a business litigator and a partner at the Cleveland office of a national law firm, Judge Forbes helped her clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business litigation to consumer class actions to legal malpractice, to trust and estate disputes, and so much more. She has dedicated herself to learning about the intricacies of the law and understanding the impact the law has on various communities.
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Before that, Judge Forbes worked on Capitol Hill and campaigned professionally for Democrats. She has maintained the dedication to get Democrats elected by working with the Ohio Democratic Party voter protection program, ensuring every registered voter can cast a ballot and have it count. Additionally, her leadership on various boards helps provide access to opportunities for some of Cuyahoga County's most vulnerable residents.
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As the granddaughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Judge Forbes graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve School of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. MORE
Kathy Moses Salem is a successful businesswoman and community leader. Kathy stands for women’s reproductive rights and believes quality healthcare is a fundamental right for all Ohioans. She will fight corruption by safeguarding our tax dollars from special interest groups. Bringing good paying jobs to the 22nd District will be a priority for Kathy and she will work hard to ensure that all of our children have access to a high quality education. ​
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With a passion for service, Kathy has always been active in her community. She has helped to teach mothers parenting and life skills, and she has shared her success as an entrepreneur, giving to many significant projects in her community and outside of it. Her personal story of hard work and perseverance has brought hope to many.
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Kathy Salem will bring the same passion and energy that has driven her career to her work in the State Senate. Kathy Salem's vision for Ohio is one of unity and progress with a goal to make all of our lives will be better. MORE
Emily Adams is a person who cares. She cares about her family, her neighbors, and her environment. And she cares about having a government that represents the people, not special interest groups.
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On April 7, 2024 when Emily learned that the Democratic candidate dropped out of the race for 76th District State Representative, she decided to take a bold step forward to lend her voice to the citizens of Richland County. Emily could not sit by and watch the current leadership of her district go unchallenged.
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Emily began her career serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA after graduating magna cum laude from American University. She went on to earn her Masters in Environmental Management from Duke University.
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When she settled in Richland County 4 years ago, Emily began serving as a precinct poll worker. Her first leap into an elected position occurred this past Fall when she ran for and was elected to the Charter Review Commission as representative for her ward.
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Now Emily is ready for the greater challenge of representing the needs of families, children, seniors and all constituents of the 76th District. She will bring her heart and mind to the task of serving Richland County. MORE
Chris Adams for Richland County Clerk of Courts
Chris Adams, a candidate for Richland County Clerk of Courts, has been a resident of Richland County for the past 14 years. After graduating from Elyria High School in 1980, he attended Jackson State University in Mississippi and graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications in 1985.
Chris’ professional career has been in law enforcement and corrections. After college, he worked as an investigator in the State of Ohio Auditor's office in fraud investigations. He served as a deputy sheriff for the Lorain County Sheriff's Department and worked in the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections at Lorain Correctional Institution. Chris’ next employment was with the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, Ohio where he was promoted to Lieutenant. Chris’ final assignment was to Richland Correctional Institution (RICI) in Mansfield, Ohio, where he was promoted to Captain. He retired from RICI in 2020, after 31 years of service in corrections and law enforcement.
“As Clerk of Courts, I will bring transparency, dedication, and integrity to the position.” MORE
Aaron is originally from New Jersey and moved to Richland County at the age of 10. He served in the United States Air Force from 1990-1993, stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base Germany. During his active duty he was in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm). Aaron is currently the Pastor of Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ. In addition, he works for the Mansfield School District. Aaron serves on several boards that deal directly with community issues such as housing, community development, healthcare, and finance. He is currently on the North End Community Improvement Collaborative Board (NECIC), as well as the Richland County Foundation Trustee Board. He has also served on the Board for Domestic Violence and MedCentral Home Care & Hospice Advisors. Aaron also serves at the Richland County Juvenile Court, being a positive role model offering guidance to the future of our County. For those unfamiliar with what a Commissioner does, the Commissioner is the administrative body for Richland County. Others currently serving in this position have referred to us as “Taxpayers”, not people (we are seen as an ATM). Aaron’s goal is to help provide the necessary things to enrich the lives of the people within the Richland County community. MORE