Majewski still a candidate, for now, in confusing race

SANDUSKY — J.R. Majewski's announcement that he is "suspending" his campaign for Congress has created a confusing situation for both voters and election officials. While the announcement appears to provide a big boost for his three opponents in the March 19 Republican primary for the Ninth District U.S. House seat, votes cast for him apparently will still count, at least until Majewski files paperwork to officially withdraw. "At the moment, Mr. Majewski is still a valid candidate," said Tim Monaco, deputy director of the Lucas County Election Board. Melanie Amato, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Ohio's top election official, said that if Majewski files paperwork at the Lucas County Election Board declaring he has dropped out, Majewski could not win. Votes cast for him would not count, and signs would be put up at all polling places informing voters that Majewski is out of the race. But as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, when the election board office closed, Majewski had not filed any paperwork, Lucas County Election Board director Lavera Scott confirmed. Lucas County has the election board in the Ninth District where paperwork for the Ninth District race is filed, as it is the most populous county in the district. Majewski and his spokeswoman did not respond Monday to two requests for comment. Republicans in the Ninth District, including in Erie County, have ballots asking them to choose from four announced candidates: Majewski, state Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township, Defiance resident Steve Lankenau and former state Rep. Craig Riedel, also of Defiance. The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, in November. Majewski faced calls for him to withdraw after he made controversial comments referring to Special Olympics athletes are "f------ r------." He has apologized for the remark and followed that with a statement that he would not leave the race. But on Saturday, he posted another official statement on social media, saying, "Today, Republican candidate J.R. Majewski announced he is suspending his campaign for Ohio's 9th Congressional District." Majewski said that while he still thinks he would win the primary and have a good chance in the general election, "it is inevitable that the Deep State will do whatever it takes to fight against me." Majewski said he will "dedicate all my energy" to helping Donald Trump, "the one man who I know will crush the Deep State." Press coverage so far has taken Majewski's statement at face value and reported he's not in the race, but election officials all told the Register it's more complicated than that, at least until Majewski files paperwork confirming his decision. Monaco said that as of Monday afternoon, Majewski had not filed paperwork with the Lucas County Election Board stating that he's withdrawing from the race. "My understanding is, the way it works in Ohio, your campaign is not suspended until he turns in a letter to us," Monaco said. As of now, he's on the ballot and votes for him still count, Monaco said. Alex Jones, director of the Erie County Election Board, noted that all of the ballots for the March 19 primary have been printed and early voting has already begun, starting on Feb. 21. "At this point, there's not much we can do," Jones said. Ohio's Republican presidential primary is a similar situation, Jones noted, as it lists five candidates while three have dropped out. Trump and Nicky Haley are still running, but Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy all have left the race. Christie, DeSantis and Ramaswamy never filed paperwork telling Ohio that they have withdrawn, so they are still on the ballot, Amato said. In addition to the signs Amato mentioned, if Majewski officially dropped out, inserts will be mailed to voters along with absentee ballots to tell them Majewski is no longer in the race, Jones said. What happens if Majewski never files paperwork and still wins? "It's a good question," Jones said. "Obviously, we would defer to the secretary of state on higher-level issues like that." Jones said there isn't a way for early voters who have turned in ballots voting for Majewski to change their minds and vote for someone else. "There is no way we can edit a result once a ballot is cast," Jones said. "That's one of the cautionary tales you have to tell about early voting."