Who's running for office in Erie County this fall

Whether for a local government or area school board, many community members are seeking a seat somewhere to, ideally, make a positive difference. On Thursday, the Erie County elections board released the fall 2025 ballot list as fully as possible. While the deadline occurred on Wednesday, workers finalized paperwork and confirmed a few last-minute adjustments before publicly releasing the list. Election Day occurs on Nov. 4. The deadline to register for this election falls on Oct. 6. A day later, Oct. 7, early voting begins. Here's a look at the verified candidates. Take note: Many races involving multiple counties with Erie County — such as those in Bellevue, Monroeville and Vermilion — have not been finalized yet. Other election boards in counties outside of Erie are still working on completing their lists. Countywide Erie County Municipal Court (vote 1) • CJ Kamm* Sandusky Municipal Court (vote 1) • Michael Kaufman • Robert Ritzler Vermilion Municipal Court (vote 1) • David Berta • Kenneth Lieux Cities Bellevue council president (vote 1) • Ronald Smith* Bellevue council treasurer (vote 1) • David Freitag* Bellevue council (vote up to 3) • Joseph Burkhart* • Kendall Shepherd* • Adam Morrison Bellevue council 4th Ward (vote 1) • Nadean Muniz* Huron council (vote up to 4) • Sam Artino* • William Biddlecombe* • Joe Dike* • Thomas Harris Sandusky city commission (vote up to 3) • Patricia Ferguson • Gregg Peugeot • Tim Schwanger • Tom Tucker • Luvada Wilson Vermilion mayor (vote 1) • Jean Anderson • Russell Owens Bay View council (vote up to 4) • Mattew Aichholz* • Bryan Brace • Kimberly Broker • Charles Fresch • Dan Grieger* • Lola James* Berlin Heights mayor (vote 1) • Connie Ward* Berlin Heights council (vote up to 4) • Russell Bristol* • Brett Leimeister* • Taylor Opfer* Note: No other candidate filed Castalia mayor (vote 1) • James Johnson* Castalia council (vote up to 3) • Cynthia Crawford* • Silas Nicholson* • Jacob Smith* Kelleys Island council (vote up to 4) • Chris Arnold • Jason Divoll • A. Max Eaton* • Mary Gaither* • Chris Kipfer • Scot Smith* • Joseph Wolfe* Milan council (vote up to 4) • Tim McIlrath* • Erin McManus* • Carla Rospert* • Stefan Taylor* Townships Berlin Township trustee (vote up to 2) • Jeff Finnen* • Tadd Smith* Florence Township fiscal officer (vote 1) • Michelle Henke* Florence Township trustee (vote up to 2) • John Krumwiede* • Bill Turnbull* Groton Township trustee (vote up to 2) • Lindsey Ann Rayle • Renee Schoen* • Dennis Schreiner* Huron Township trustee (vote up to 2) • Ray Enderle* • Ed Wimmer* Margaretta Township trustee (vote up to 2) • Diane Keegan • Gary Pooch* • Johnathan Schaeffer • Mark Stacy Milan Township trustee (vote up to 2) • Amber Baehr • Brandon Hartz • Mike Kegarise* • Kevin Riddle Oxford Township (vote up to 2) • Scott Leber* • Brian Miller* Perkins Township (vote up to 2) • Tim Coleman* • Lisa Crescimano • Jim Lang* Vermilion Township (vote up to 2) • Charles Hall • Kurt Johnson* • Tom Krukemeyer • Katie Lalonde • Don Rowe* • Nancy Sauer • Keith Sexton • Joseph Trinter • Malcolm Williams School boards North Point (vote up to 2) • Eileen Bulan* • Philip Thiede* Edison (vote up to 3) • Stephen Berry* • Laura Dunn • Mark Harrington • Samantha Limberios • William Muthig • Jacqui Rockwell • James Suhanic* Huron, seat No. 1 (vote up to 3) • Jude Hammond • Stacey Hartley* • Stacy Hinners* Huron, seat No. 2 (vote 1) • Jonathan Merckens Kelleys Island (vote up to 3) • Debra Haig* • Janet Wermuth • Note: No other candidate filed Margaretta (vote up to 3) • Joshua Hula* • Paul Schoenegge* • Angie Tucker* Perkins (vote up to 2) • Alison Judy • Eric Lapata* Sandusky (vote up to 2) • Jennifer Ashburn • Jennifer Chapman* • Talib Garrett • Martha Murray* Vermilion (vote up to 2) • Sara Stepp* • Note: Two other candidates filed, being finalized by Lorain County elections board *Denotes incumbent