Only Hall declared as Newark mayoral candidate

NEWARK – So far, only Mayor Jeff Hall, the Republican incumbent, has announced intentions to run for Newark’s highest elected post this year.

Whereas partisan hopefuls — Democrats or Republicans — have until Feb. 4 to file nominating petitions, independent candidates have until May 4, the day before the May primary, said Sue Penick, deputy director of the Licking County Board of Elections.

To date, only four local candidates — three from Newark and one from Heath — have filed petitions seeking municipal seats this year.

Hall is not among them. He has taken out his petitions for re-election as mayor but has not yet filed them. He said Friday that he plans to meet the February deadline.

So far, no Democrat or unaffiliated candidate has stepped forward in the mayoral race.

Former Mayor Bob Diebold, who served on the council and as mayor as a Republican, declined to confirm or deny plans for the upcoming General Election. Diebold lost his mayoral re-election bid to Hall in the Republican Primary in 2011. Hall went on to beat Democrat Max Sutton in November 2011 and will wrap up his four-year term at the end of this year.

Diebold ran as an independent candidate for the 3rd Ward council seat in 2013, losing in a three-way race to Councilman Jeff Rath, a Republican. Diebold said he still does not belong to a political party and thus would not have to file candidacy petitions by Feb. 4.

“Whatever happens, happens, and whatever doesn’t happen, doesn’t happen,” Diebold said.

The declared candidates who have filed their petitions are all incumbents hoping for re-election in November to four-year terms, according to the Licking County Board of Elections.

To date, Newark Law Director Doug Sassen, Newark Auditor Stephen Johnson and Newark City Council President Don Ellington, all incumbent Republicans, have filed their nominating petitions with the board of elections. Otherwise, only Heath at-large Councilman Jeff Crabill has filed.

Newark Councilmen Ryan Bubb, R-at large, and Bill Cost Jr., D-at large, have taken out their petitions but have not yet filed them.

Fellow at-large Councilman Marc Guthrie, a Democrat, has not yet announced his intentions.

“I’m going to make a decision Wednesday,” he said. “I’m weighing some family considerations now.”

Daniel Crawford, a South Second Street resident, said he has taken out petitions to run as a Democrat for a Newark at-large seat.

Rath said he is considering running at-large.

On the Nov. 3 ballot, Newark voters will elect a mayor, auditor, law director, city council president and the three at-large members. Those races are partisan, meaning candidates must meet the Feb. 4 filing deadline to qualify for the May 5 primary to compete for their party’s nomination to the November General Election ballot. Those candidates must gather at least 50 valid signatures on their nominating petitions, which must be certified by the Licking County Board of Elections.

Heath’s candidates run without designating party allegiance. Only the four at-large positions are up for election Nov. 3.

Elsewhere in the county, township trustees and fiscal officers are up for election, as are school board members.

Candidates can acquire petition forms from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office or online rather than through the local board of elections.

jwilliams6@newarkadvocate.com

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