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May primary ballots set for Vermillion County

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 9:58 AM

By Paul Gable

With the filing process closed, the ballot is official for Democratic and Republican primaries in May across Vermillion County.

In the U.S. Rep. District 8 race, there will be a crowded Democratic primary, as Mary Allen, Mario Foradori, Christopher Rector and Tabitha Ziegler all look to unseat Republican incumbent Mark Messmer in November. 

Republican incumbent Tim Yocum is running unopposed for State Rep District 42, while Republican incumbent Spencer Deery will face a challenge from Paula Copenhaver for his State Senate District 23 seat. Democrat David A. Sanders awaits in November. 

For Prosecuting Attorney, Democrat incumbent Bruce Aukerman is set to face Republican James Organ in November. 

The Vermillion County Commissioner District 2 Race features two Republican challengers for incumbent William Peebles, as Curt Phelps and Kody Zumwalt are on the May ballot. Democrat Ron Shepard advances to November.

The County Council District 1 race also features three Republicans, as incumbent Rick Weir looks to hold off challengers William Davis and James Dunavan. 

County Council District 2 features Republican incumbent Neil Costello facing Florinda Pruitt, and County Council District 3 sees John Katzmarek, Jeff McMullen and Cole West, all Republicans, squaring off in May with the winner meeting Democrat Thomas Burkett in November. County Council District 4 pits Republicans Jeffrey Bose against Jeffrey McCoy in May, with Democrat Andrew Zamani waiting in the general election. 

Democrat incumbent Paige Kilgore currently has no challengers for the Assessor role, while the Recorder position will see a primary battle between Stephanie Pugh and Billie Bush, both Republicans, while Democrat Amy Griffin awaits later this year. 

Democrat Sheriff Michael Holtkamp faces no challenger in May, while the Cayuga Clerk-Treasurer race is set for November with Republican incumbent Brianna Noggle facing Democrat Sierra Starkey. 

For Cayuga Town Council, Democrats Sara Craft and Byron Fultz meet, while the Republican primary offers Roberta Lynn Kilpatrick, Neal Smith and Dennis Weaver. Dana Clerk Treasurer Michelle Doan, a Democrat, is running for re-election, while for the Dana Town Council election will see Republicans Martha Kritzer, Robert Richardson and Leigh Ann Smith will all meet in May, while Democrat Fred Craft moves to November. 

A slew of Democrats will square off for the Fairview Park Town Council, as Milisa Carty, Tonya Cox, James Moore, Larry Natalie and Larry Wilson will all run in May. 

A pair of Republicans will advance to November, as Newport Clerk-Treasurer Stephanie Simpson moves on, as does Perrysville Clerk-Treasurer Joan Varner. 

Perrysville Town Council features Tony Jacobs, Jeffery Shirley and Anthony Smith on the ballot, while Democrat Douglas Martin is running for Universal Town Council. 

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