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Voters check in at Market Hall in Celina to vote in Tuesday's primary election.
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County's Republican primary for common pleas court judge was settled by a razor-thin margin on Tuesday night, with St. Marys City law director Zach Ferrall winning over Shelby County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Kristina Morris by less than 200 votes.
According to unofficial election results, Ferrall earned the Republican nomination for common pleas court judge: probate, juvenile and domestic relations with 51.45% of the vote, or 3,206 votes, with Morris earning 3,025 votes, or 48.55%.
It was the only contested race Tuesday in Auglaize County's primary election.
Ferrall is an attorney and partner at Noble, Montague & Moul LLC and has held the office of St. Marys law director since 2021, advising city leadership, drafting legislation, attending city council meetings and serving as prosecutor for cases filed under city code.
In a statement to The Daily Standard, Ferrall thanked the county's voters for trusting him with the opportunity.
"This campaign would not have been possible without the incredible support of my team, friends, and family," he wrote. "Your encouragement, hard work, and willingness to help -whether knocking on doors, making calls, or spreading the word - made all the difference. Together, we connected with thousands of voters across the county, and that effort showed in the results. … I'm ready to get to work."
In her current position, Morris presides daily over all of Shelby County's domestic relations cases. She has also worked for a time as the assistant prosecuting attorney in Shelby County, and in private practice for over a decade.
She is a New Bremen High School graduate and still resides in New Bremen with her family.
Longtime Judge Mark E. Spees served in the position for 31 years, and entered his sixth and final term in 2021. He is unable to seek reelection due to judicial age limits.
No Democrat filed to run for the seat, and Ferrall will run unopposed in November's general election.
Minster Local Schools' long-running 1.05-mill permanent improvement levy was handily renewed on Tuesday night, with 75.85% of the vote, or 421 votes, per unofficial election results.
"I'd like to thank our district residents for supporting the children of Minster," Superintendent Josh Meyer said following the unofficial vote tally. "It is a great feeling knowing that our residents value education and what we do."
The five-year levy was first passed in 1986 as 0.8 mills and then increased to 1.05 mills in 2021. It typically generates around $90,000 a year, and helps fund permanent improvements, maintain sites, remodel or repair facilities, and acquire replacement equipment.
The levy will be up for renewal again in 2031.
• Incumbent county commissioner Doug Spencer ran unopposed in the Republican primary. No Democrat filed for the position.
• Incumbent county auditor Linda Brice is ran unopposed in the Republican primary. No Democrat filed.
• Incumbent county prosecutor Ben Elder ran unopposed in the Republican primary. No Democrat filed.
• Incumbent county treasurer Mandy Frank ran unopposed in the Republican primary. No Democrat filed.
• State Rep Angie King, R-Celina, ran unopposed in the Republican primary for Ohio's 84th House District, which includes St. Marys, New Bremen, Minster, New Knoxville and Wapakoneta. Arienne Childrey ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Ohio's 84th House District. The two will face off for the seat in November.
