Two Independent candidates have entered the race for countywide offices in Champaign County ahead of the November General Election.
The Champaign County Board of Elections confirmed that Todd Woodruff has filed petitions to run as an Independent for Champaign County Commissioner. If his candidacy is certified later this month, Woodruff will join Republican Karen Bailey and Democrat Jacob McKee on the November ballot.
Woodruff is no stranger to the commissioner race, having previously mounted a write-in campaign in 2022. He came up just short in that election against Republican Nino Vitale, who has held the commissioner seat since 2023.
Vitale is not seeking another term as commissioner this year and instead is pursuing the Champaign County Auditor position.
Also filing as an Independent is John P. Ritchie, who is aiming for that same auditor seat. Pending certification, Ritchie would square off against Vitale in November, adding another contested countywide race to the fall ballot.
The Board of Elections is scheduled to review and certify Independent petitions, along with final results from the May 5 primary, during its May 21 meeting.
Elsewhere on the November ballot, the race for Ohio’s 85th House District is officially set. Incumbent Republican State Representative Tim Barhorst advanced without opposition in the primary and will face Democrat Victoria Maddox in the General Election.
According to unofficial primary totals, Maddox secured the Democratic nomination with 1,272 votes, defeating both Pamela Grogean and Clay Newlin. The 85th District covers all of Champaign County and Shelby County, along with parts of Logan County.
In Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, longtime Republican Congressman Jim Jordan will face Democrat Joshua Kolasinski this fall.
A third candidate could still join that race, as Independent hopeful Tracey Tackett of Springfield has also submitted petitions, though her certification remains pending.
