BUCYRUS — The uncertified petitions of republican and democratic candidates are in for the upcoming primary election on May 7.
Four republicans have thrown their hat in the ring to be on the ballot in November to be chosen by the voters for Bucyrus mayor. They include incumbent Jeff Reser, former Crawford County Commissioner Jenny Vermillion, Bucyrus realtor Louis Katona III and former long-time Bucyrus business owner Mike Allonas.
On the democratic ticket to run for mayor is retired City of Bucyrus electrician Ronald O. Bores, who will run unopposed in the primary election.
For council president, Bucyrus business owner Kurt Fankhauser will be running against Terry Spiegel, supervisor of the water treatment, wastewater treatment and water distribution departments for the city.
For Bucyrus City Council Ward 2, newcomer and democratic candidate Candance M. Yokum is running for the position currently occupied by republican Monica Sack. Sack did not file a petition to seek re-election.
Republicans and current at-large council members Mark Makeever and Kevin Myers are seeking re-election. A third position has no candidate running in the primary election. The seat currently is occupied by Dan Wirebaugh who recently announced he will be running for mayor in November as an independent candidate.
Current Bucyrus City Auditor Joyce Schifer, Law Director Rob Ratliff and council members Bruce Truka and Andy Schoch, all republican candidates that are unopposed in the primary election, also filed petitions.
The Crawford County Board of Elections will certify the petitions when it meets Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m.
According to Ruth Leuthold, director of the Crawford County Board of Elections, the petitions for candidates running as independents are not due to be filed with the board until May 6.
John Jones is running as an independent candidate for mayor of Crestline and has already filed his petition. Linda Horning Pitt has submitted her petition to run as a republican candidate for the same position.
Issues on the ballot include a sales and use tax levy in the amount of 0.5 percent for the purpose of supporting criminal and administrative justice services, specifically the administration and maintenance of the Crawford County Justice Center (jail), for a continuing period of time.
Bucyrus city administrators also are seeking the renewal of an existing one-half percent streets levy for the city of Bucyrus.
The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Monday, April 8.
Leuthold said once the petitions have been certified, the list of candidates will be posted on the website under Navigation-On the Ballot.
For more information, visit the Crawford County Board of Elections website.