MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — Richland County voters overwhelmingly favored Republican candidates across federal, state and local ballots Tuesday while rejecting several major school district tax levies, according to unofficial election results.

With all 83 precincts reporting, 44,623 of the county’s 77,903 registered voters cast ballots, resulting in a 57.28% turnout. Election Day voting accounted for 24,933 ballots, while 14,958 voters cast ballots in the absentee office and 4,732 voted by mail.

County and Judicial Contests

In contested local races, Republican Cliff Mears secured the Richland County commissioner seat for the full term commencing Jan. 1, 2027. Mears defeated Democrat Mark Kaufmann with 66.57% of the vote, tallying 28,818 votes to Kaufmann’s 14,475.

In the nonpartisan race for Richland County Common Pleas Court Probate Division judge, Kelly L. Badnell defeated Robert A. Franco. Badnell received 21,716 votes, or 58.83%, while Franco received 15,200 votes, or 41.17%.

Several county and judicial candidates ran unopposed:

  • County Auditor: Republican Patrick W. Dropsey received 34,874 votes.
  • Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas (unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2028): Republican Heidi Ewing received 33,852 votes.
  • 5th District Court of Appeals Judge: Republican Matthew George tallied 33,544 votes.
  • Common Pleas Court Judge (General Division): Phillip S. Naumoff drew 31,786 votes.

Statewide and Federal Races

Richland County voters gave roughly two-thirds of their support to the Republican ticket in statewide executive and legislative contests:

  • Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Republicans Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley carried the county with 26,531 votes (60.36%), defeating Democrats Amy Acton and David Pepper, who received 15,626 votes (35.55%), and Libertarians Don Kissick and James L. Mills, who received 1,791 votes (4.07%).
  • U.S. Senate (unexpired term ending Jan. 3, 2029): Republican Jon Husted earned 26,596 votes (60.36%) to defeat Democrat Sherrod Brown, who garnered 15,058 votes (34.17%). Libertarian William B. Redpath received 1,568 votes (3.56%), and Greg Levy received 842 votes (1.91%).
  • State Executive Offices: Republicans swept the county vote for Attorney General, with Keith Faber taking 66.01% (28,594 votes) over Democrat John J. Kulewicz (14,725 votes); Auditor of State, with Frank LaRose winning 66.70% (29,067 votes) over Democrat Annette Blackwell (14,511 votes); Secretary of State, with Robert Sprague earning 63.31% (27,644 votes) over Democrat Allison Russo (14,692 votes) and Libertarian Tom Pruss (1,326 votes); and Treasurer of State, with Jay Edwards winning 66.10% (28,700 votes) over Democrat Seth Walsh (14,721 votes).
  • Ohio Supreme Court: Republican Daniel R. Hawkins defeated Democrat Marilyn Zayas 65.55% to 34.45% (28,501 to 14,980) for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Republican Colleen O’Donnell defeated Democrat Jennifer Brunner 65.07% to 34.93% (28,308 to 15,198) for the term beginning Jan. 2, 2027.
  • U.S. House and Statehouse: In the 4th Congressional District, Republican Jim Jordan took 62.56% (12,370 votes) over Democrat Joshua D. Kolasinski (6,909 votes) and Tracey L. Tackett (494 votes). In the 5th Congressional District, Republican Bob Latta captured 65.23% (15,572 votes) over Democrat Brian A. Shaver (7,581 votes) and Libertarian Michael J. Veloff (721 votes). In the 76th Ohio House District, Republican Marilyn S. John defeated Democrat Colton Stidam 65.54% to 34.46% (28,606 to 15,038).

State Issue 3 and School District Levies

Richland County voters strongly backed State Issue 3, a constitutional amendment requiring photo identification to vote. The measure passed locally with 34,270 “yes” votes (77.73%) to 9,816 “no” votes (22.27%).

Conversely, voters rejected nearly all local school tax proposals on the county ballot:

  • Lexington Local School District: Voters narrowly rejected a five-year, 4.8-mill current expenses renewal levy by 129 votes, with 3,934 voting against (50.83%) and 3,805 voting for (49.17%). A second measure for an additional 10-year, 0.75% income tax for current expenses failed decisively, with 5,206 against (67.21%) and 2,540 in favor (32.79%).
  • Madison Local School District: A five-year, 14.4-mill renewal of two existing levies for current expenses failed by a slim 78-vote margin, with 4,034 votes against (50.49%) and 3,956 in favor (49.51%).
  • Multi-County School Districts & Libraries: Within Richland County precincts, voters rejected a continuing 0.75% income tax for Crestline Exempted Village School District (103-41); a 37-year, 0.25% earned income tax and 2.85-mill bond issue for Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District (92-39); a five-year, 0.8-mill renewal for the Loudonville Public Library (71-61); and a five-year, 1-mill renewal for South Central Local School District (15-11). In the single Richland County precinct voting on Ashland City Schools’ continuing 9.9-mill renewal, all three registered voters cast ballots, approving it 2-1.

Municipal, Township and Local Option Issues

Voters approved most municipal and township renewal levies for infrastructure, parks and emergency services, while rejecting requests for additional taxes:

  • City of Shelby: Voters approved both five-year renewal levies: a 0.9-mill health department levy passed 1,721 to 1,219 (58.54%), and a 0.5-mill parks levy passed 1,868 to 1,074 (63.49%).
  • Villages: Bellville voters approved a five-year, 2-mill cemetery renewal (531-358) and a five-year, 3-mill police renewal (566-325). Lexington village voters passed a five-year, 1-mill parks and recreation renewal 1,170 to 957 (55.01%). Shiloh voters approved a five-year, 2.5-mill current expenses renewal 85 to 73 (53.80%). However, Lucas voters rejected an additional 0.75% income tax by nine votes (116-107), and Plymouth voters rejected a five-year, 1-mill cemetery renewal (120-104).
  • Townships: Madison Township voters defeated three ballot measures: an additional five-year, 2.5-mill fire and EMS levy (2,055 to 1,588); an additional five-year, 4-mill road levy (2,202 to 1,419); and a natural gas aggregation proposal (1,897 to 1,616). Meanwhile, Mifflin Township approved natural gas aggregation 1,441 to 972 (59.72%). Voters also approved five-year road renewal levies in Jefferson Township (2 mills, 713-615), Monroe Township (0.75 mills, 600-457) and Sandusky Township (1.5 mills, 235-212).
  • Sunday Liquor Sales: All five precinct-level local options for Sunday alcohol sales passed comfortably, approving measures for Lexington Ave Drive Thru (137-90) and Kingwood Center Gardens (260-95) in Mansfield, alongside Legends Sports Grill and Pub (239-89), Shelby Carry Out (305-92) and VFW Post 0291 George Broderick (247-100) in Shelby.

All results released Tuesday night by the Richland County Board of Elections remain unofficial pending the official canvass.

Richland County Election Results 2026Download