BEDFORD – As the January filing window remains open, the political landscape for the upcoming 2026 Lawrence County Primary Election is rapidly coming into focus. With the May 5, 2026, election date approaching, dozens of Republican and Democratic hopefuls have officially submitted their paperwork for a wide range of federal, state, and local offices.
Prospective candidates are reminded that the deadline to file a declaration of candidacy for the primary nomination is Friday, February 6, 2026, at noon local time.
Residents looking to participate in the May primary must be registered to vote by April 6, 2026. Early in-person voting is scheduled to begin at the Lawrence County Clerk’s office on April 7, giving voters several weeks to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Below is the comprehensive list of candidates who have filed as of January 20, 2026:
Federal and State Representation
- US Representative, Ninth District: Erin Houchin (Republican), Brad A. Meyer (Democratic), and Keil L. Roark (Democratic).
- State Representative, District 065: Chris D. May (Republican).
Judicial and Law Enforcement
- Judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court, 81st Judicial Circuit: Nathan G. Nikirk (Republican).
- Judge of the Lawrence Superior Court, No. 2: Robert (Bob) Cline (Republican).
- Prosecuting Attorney of Lawrence County, 81st Judicial Circuit: Samuel C. Arp, II (Republican).
- Lawrence County Sheriff: Greg Day (Republican).
County Administration and Council
- Lawrence County Assessor: April Stapp Collins (Republican).
- Lawrence County Commissioner, District 1: Candidates include Jason Branham (Republican), Rick Butterfield (Republican), Bob Evans (Republican), and Gary Koontz (Republican).
- Lawrence County Council:
- District 1: Amy Redman (Republican)
- District 2: Chester Lee Batman (Republican), Phil Inman (Republican), and Brian Skillman (Republican).
- District 3: David Holmes (Republican) and Jeffrey Lytton (Republican).
- District 4: Larry Arnold (Republican) and Brian Prince (Republican).
Township Trustees
The following Republican candidates have filed for Township Trustee positions:
- Bono Township: Michelle L. Porter
- Guthrie Township: Jeffrey H. Combs (Republican)
- Indian Creek Township: Gary K. Scherschel (Republican)
- Marion Township: Shannon M. Lagle (Republican)
- Marshall Township: Christopher D. Noel (Republican)
- Perry Township: Carla Bomgardner (Republican)
- Pleasant Run Township: James Edsel Ford (Republican)
- Shawswick Township: Millard Jones (Republican)
- Spice Valley Township: Michelle D. Cornett (Republican)
Township Board Members
- Bono Township: Jon J. Malott (Republican), Vickie “Dusty” Tolbert (Republican)
- Guthrie Township: Bretta Myers (Republican), Tyler Thompson (Republican)
- Indian Creek Township: Bruce Reeves (Republican)
- Marion Township: Lucinda Fletcher (Republican), LaToya L. Lamm (Republican) and Henry Shetler (Republican)
- Marshall Township: Kenton James Stultz Pardue (Republican) and Joseph Stettenbenz (Republican)
- Perry Township: Alexandra Edwards (Republican) and Angela Saunders-Pedersen (Republican).
- Pleasant Run Township: Crystal A. Dooley (Republican), Paul Ford (Republican), and Michael S. Nicholson (Republican)
- Shawswick Township: Jennie Edwards (Republican), Amy Kleber (Republican), Linda Sue Randolph (Republican), Andrew J. Rusch (Republican), and Julie Morris (Democratic)
- Spice Valley Township: David A. Kissel (Republican), Tony Lynch (Republican), Philip M. Smith (Republican)
Convention Delegates
- Brad Bough (Republican) District 1
- Chase Cummings (Republican) District 1
- Alexandra Edwards (Republican) District 1
- Robert Hall (Republican) District 2
- Henry Shetler (Republican) District 2
- Andrew J. Rusch (Republican) District 3
- Nathan Watson (Republican) District 3
- Sherri Childers (Democrat) At-Large
- Rowena Cross-Najafi (Democrat) At-Large
- Karin Lauderback (Democrat) At-Large
- Julie Morris (Democrat) At-Large
- Matthew T. Ray (Democrat) At-Large
