By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Some races that could have ended Tuesday are just beginning.

Independents around Southwest Ohio have declared themselves candidates for November's ballot.

While there were no last-minute surprises in Butler County, some candidates in Warren and Clermont counties waited until Monday's deadline to file their paperwork. No independent candidates filed with the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

Morrow Police Chief Richard H. Kilburn, cousin of County Commissioner Mike Kilburn, will challenge incumbent Warren County Sheriff Tom Ariss, who was unopposed in Tuesday's Republican primary and had no Democrat opponent.

"I've been in law enforcement for a while, the last 10 years to be exact," Kilburn said. "It's just something I've always wanted to do."

Ariss said he believes Mike Kilburn was behind the filing, but has no qualms with the Morrow chief.

"He's a nice guy. I don't have any beef with him," Ariss said of his opponent.

Jack Chrisman of Lebanon will face Deerfield businessman Dave Young, the unofficial winner of Tuesday's four-way Republican primary for the county commissioner seat Larry Crisenbery is vacating. There was no Democratic primary for that seat.

Butler County voters also will see two independents running countywide on the November ballot.

Robert R. Patton of Wayne Township filed in December for sheriff. He's challenging Chief Deputy Sheriff Rick Jones of Hamilton and Dale Scott Richter of Trenton to replace retiring Sheriff Harold Don Gabbard.

Former Fairfield City Councilman J. Michael Best last month entered the Butler County commissioner race. He's running against Republican incumbent Michael A. Fox of Fairfield Township and Democrat Catherine Stoker, a West Chester Township trustee.

In Clermont County, Roger Maham of Williamsburg Township is running for county recorder; Dieter Gentzow of Miami Township is running for county commissioner, and Ronald Mason of Milford is running for county Domestic Relations Court judge.

The boards of elections must certify the candidates' paperwork by May 14 for the Nov. 2 ballot.

John Kiesewetter, Steve Kemme, Janice Morse and Cindi Andrews contributed to this story. E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com