Medina County candidates and issues set for May primary

The Medina County Board of Elections released the list of candidates for the May primary election, which consists of races in Brunswick, the courts and Wadsworth as well as eight issues, most of which come from the northern part of the county. The filing deadline for the May election was 4 p.m. Wednesday. Brunswick Brunswick City Council elections are considered nonpartisan. Incumbent Brandon Lambert is against Andie Rodriguez for Brunswick City Council Ward 3. There are also two candidates for Brunswick City Council Ward 4, Keith Kuczma and John Welker. Anthony Capretta currently has the position in Ward 4 but will be starting his new role as Medina County auditor in March after being elected in November. Brunswick City Council is in the process of selecting someone to fill the rest of Capretta's term that ends this year. Whomever is elected to this role in 2023 will be serving a new term. The races for Brunswick City Council Wards 1 and 2 are uncontested. Incumbent Ward 1 Councilman Mike Abella and Ward 2 Councilman Nick Hanek are the only candidates running in each race. Medina Municipal Court There are two races for the Medina Municipal Court. Anne Eisenhower is running against incumbent Gary Werner for Medina Municipal Court judge. For Medina Municipal Court clerk, incumbent Joe Salzgeber is challenged by opponent Mary Emhoff. Wadsworth Municipal Court For Wadsworth Municipal judge, two candidates are running. Judge Stephen McIlvaine is unable to run for reelection because of his age. Ohio's mandatory retirement age is 70. Susana Lewis and current Wadsworth Law Director Tom Morris are in the race instead. Wadsworth Incumbent Mayor of Wadsworth Robin Laubaugh is opposed by fellow Republican Bob Thurber. Thurber is the Wadsworth City Council president. Since the council president position is open, Republican at-large Councilman David Williams is running for council president race unopposed. There are six candidates in the race for Wadsworth City Council at-large, and three open positions. Republican incumbents Daniel Rospert and Thomas Stugmyer are seeking to be reelected. The other Republican candidates are Susan Hanlon, Chris Maxwell and Robert Titus, while Michael Reese is the only Democrat in the race. Bruce Darlington is not seeking another term as Wadsworth city councilman for Ward 4. He had 10 terms on City Council. "I've done it for 20 years," he said. "I figure it's time to give somebody else a chance." Darlington said serving the community of Wadsworth has been a great experience, and he was glad to be able to do so. "I look forward to the next person that's going to take my place," he said. "There's lots to do in Wadsworth still." Instead, Republicans Gary Fox and David Parish are running for the Ward 4 seat in Wadsworth. Wadsworth City Council for Wards 1, 2 and 3 are uncontested with only the incumbents running. Republican Ralph Copley is running for Ward 1, Republican Jon Yurchiak is seeking reelection in Ward 2 and Republican Jeanne Hines is in the race for Ward 3. Incumbent Catherine Fix, a Republican, is unopposed for the role of Wadsworth auditor. Since Law Director Tom Morris is running for Wadsworth Municipal judge, he is not seeking reelection. The current Assistant Law Director Bradley Proudfoot is running instead. Ballot issues Brunswick: The city is seeking a 0.82-mill bond issue with a duration of 20 years to build a new centralized fire station. Brunswick Schools: The district has a 3.33-mill bond issue on the May ballot that would last 37 years for the purpose of constructing a new Brunswick High School along with other, smaller projects in the district. Brunswick Hills Township: The township is asking for a 1-mill, five-year additional levy for funding fire and EMS services. Buckeye Schools: The district has a 5.6-mill bond issue with a duration of 35 years to build a new seven through 12 school in the district. Chatham Township: The township is seeking a renewal levy for fire and EMS services that is 2 mills and would last five years. Rittman: The city has a 0.5 percent income tax that would be continuous for general municipal operations and capital improvements. Westfield Fire and Rescue District: The district has an additional, 3.5-mill levy that is continuous on the May ballot for fire and EMS services. White Timbers & Grounds: Wadsworth Township, local option for liquor sales. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.