A new Butler County Common Pleas judge seat, a Warren County elderly services levy and a Clermont County commissioner's seat are among the most lively races and issues in the three counties in the May 7 primary.

        Eight Republicans and a Democrat have taken out petitions for the Butler County race, but no one has filed yet.

        Thursday was the filing deadline for the primary. But the filing deadline for the judge's seat has been extended to Feb. 28 because the state legislature was late in approving the new position.

        The Butler County Republican Party will endorse a candidate Wednesday. Republicans taking out petitions are Timothy Evans, Craig Hedric, Gary Kaup, Jeffrey Milbauer, Bennett Manning, Andy Nastoff, Charles Pater and Daniel Warncke. The only Democrat is Farrell Jay Goodman.

        Also in May, Warren County, For the first time, will attempt to pass an elderly services levy.

        The 0.96-mill, five-year levy would raise $3 million annually to help with in-home chores, meals and medical transportation.

        In Clermont County, two Republicans — David Caudill, the county clerk of courts, and Scott Croswell, an attorney who is the son of the late former Clermont County Commissioner Robert Croswell — will compete for the nomination for a commissioner's seat.

        The winner will run against Democrat Gregg Conrad. Incumbent Martha Dorsey is not seeking re-election.

        In the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Rob Portman of Terrace Park will face the winner of a three-way Democratic primary. The candidates: Roy Mitchell of Dayton, Charles Sanders of Waynesville and Tony Stephens of Piketon.

        In other Butler County races, Republicans Ronald Craft, Richard Hurchanik and Terri King and Democrat James Shew have filed for a new Butler County Juvenile Court judge's seat.

        Republican Butler County Commissioner Courtney Combs has no opponents in the primary election. In the general election, he is being challenged by Democrat Melvin A. Smith of Hamilton.

        U.S. Rep. John Boehner of West Chester is being challenged in the Republican primary by Roger Thomas of Tipp City. Jeffrey Hardenbrook of Dayton is the only Democratic candidate to file.

        None of Butler County's three Republican state representatives is being challenged in the primary.

        In the November general election, Shawn Webster, the incumbent in the 53rd House District, will run against Democrat A.C. Mitchell, a former Middletown School Board member.

        Rep. Greg Jolivette, incumbent in the 54th House District, will run in the general election against Democrat Arnold Engel, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Ohio Sen. Scott Nein two years ago.

        Rep. Gary Cates is running unopposed for re-election in the 55th District.

        Voters in northern Warren County and parts of Mason will cast ballots in a wide-open race for the 3rd Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Tony Hall, a Dayton Democrat who faced a tough race after Warren, Clinton and Highland counties were added to his district last month, is trading in his seat for a U.N. ambassadorship.

        Vying to take his place are former Dayton Mayor Michael R. Turner, publisher Roy Eldridge Brown and Gregory E. Hunter — all Republicans — along with Democrat Richard Alan Carne and Libertarian Ronald V. Williamitis.

        Incumbent Warren County Commissioner Mike Kilburn will have competition from Lebanon real estate agent Daryl Dunn in the Republican primary. A third candidate, Carolyn Tepe of Deerfield Township, is running for the Democratic nomination to take on the GOP winner in November.

        Warren voters will see a contest this year: James Flannery of Lebanon and James Heath of Maineville — both judges in other courts — will compete in the Republican primary for the Common Pleas seat held by retiring Judge P. Daniel Fedders.

        In Butler County, the only issue on the ballot will be Talawanda School District's 7.78-mill bond issue that would raise $53.9 million to build and renovate school facilities.

        In Warren County, the Little Miami School District has a five-year, 6.9-mill renewal and additional levy on the ballot.

       Cindi Andrews contributed to this report.
       

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