Category: Run for Office

Run for Local Office!

Have you considered running for public office, but find yourself intimidated by all the rules and process?
We can help! We have experienced past candidates, and current elected officials, that can train, explain and help you through every step in the process!
If you ran for office before, consider running again, your odds actually go up on the second try!

2025 Primary Election Schedule

Primary Election Day ………………………………………………………………….. May 6, 2025 

Filing Deadline (90 days)…………………………………………………. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Deadline for Write-In Candidates (72 days)* ………….. 4:00 p.m., February 24, 2025 

Registration Closes (30 days)* ………………………………………………. 9:00 p.m., April 7, 2025 

Absentee Opens  …………………………………………………………………………………. April 8, 2025 

Independent Filing Deadline (Hilliard and Reynoldsburg) …………. 4:00 p.m., May 5, 2025 

* In some instances, the statutory deadline falls on a day when the offices of the Secretary of State and boards of elections are closed.  In those instances, the deadlines are extended, pursuant to R.C. 1.14, to the next succeeding day when the appropriate office is open for regular business hours. The preceding dates reflect the extended deadline. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT 

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of Judicial FDS, Notice of Judicial Candidate Seminars, 

Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt 

Petition: Special Form 3-I (Franklin County) 

Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………Min. 50 – Max. 150 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition fee and $30.00 OEC fee) Offices to be elected: 

Judge, full term commencing 1-1-2026 …………………………………………………… Jodi Thomas 
Judge, full term commencing 1-2-2026 ……………………………………………… Jessica D’Varga
Judge, full term commencing 1-3-2026 ………………………………………………..James E. Green

Nominated by petition – these offices do not appear on the primary ballot.  

CITY OF COLUMBUS

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of FDS, Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt Petition: Special Columbus – Single; Columbus City Council 

Signature Requirement (City Attorney, City Auditor) ……………….. Min. 1,000 – No Max.c 

Signature Requirement (City Council) ……………………………………….. Min. 250 – No Max.c 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) 

Offices ……………………………………………………………………………………. City Attorney (Klein) 

…………………………………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Kilgore)  

………………………………………………………………………………………. Council District 1 (Wyche) 

………………………………………………………………………………………. Council District 3 (Dorans) 

………………………………………………………………………………………… Council District 4 (Remy) 

………………………………………………………………………………………… Council District 7 (Favor) 

Non-Partisan ballot.  If no more than two candidates are certified for a contest, then no primary election will be held. 

Additional Requirements:  

Petitions shall contain the names and addresses of five registered electors of the City of Columbus designated in advance by the candidate as a nominating committee (committee members may reside anywhere in the city). Signers of city council petitions must be registered in the district. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION – COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 
Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of FDS, Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt

Petition: Form 2-V- Board of Education Primary (single candidate) 

Petition: Board of Education Special (several candidates) 

Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….Min. 300 – Max. 900 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $30.00 ($10.00 petition fee and $20.00 OEC fee) 

Board Member  …………………………. Three Seats (six to be nominated) (Cole, Reyes, Vera) 

Non-Partisan Primary Election only if there are more than twice the number of candidates as open seats. Columbus City School District candidates are required to file a financial disclosure statement.

CITY OF HILLIARD

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of FDS, Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt Petition: Form 2-I 

Signature Requirement 

Major Party ……………………………………………………………………..Min. 50 – Max. 150 

Minor Party ……………………………………………………………………….Min. 25 – Max. 75 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) 

Offices ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Four Council Seats (Carrier, Cottone, Hale, Teater) 

Partisan Primary – In the event the number of candidates from a political party is less than or equal to the number of positions to be filled in the next General Election, then no primary election need be held. 

City of Hilliard – INDEPENDENTS:

Petition: Form 3-N 

Signature Requirement …………………………………………………………… Min. 156 – Max. 468* 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………………… 4:00 p.m., May 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) Additional requirements per charter – No group petitions and signers of petitions are restricted to the number of offices to be voted on. Nominating Committee not required.

CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of FDS, Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt Petition: Form 2-I 

Signature Requirement 

Major Party …………………. Min. 50 – Max. 150 (Ward Council Min. 25 – Max. 75) 

Minor Party …………………… Min. 25 – Max. 75 (Ward Council Min. 13 – Max. 39) 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) 

Offices …………………………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Cicak) 

……………………………………………………………………………………. Three Council-at-Large seats (Baker, Cotner, Johnson) 

Partisan Primary – If the number of candidates from a political party is less than or equal to the number of positions to be filled in the next General Election, then no primary election need be held. 

City of Reynoldsburg – INDEPENDENTS: 

Petition: Form 3-N  

Signature Requirement…………… (City Attorney, Council-at-Large) Min. 127 – Max. 381* 

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………………… 4:00 p.m., May 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) 

* Signatures required for independent candidates in the Hilliard and Reynoldsburg municipal elections are based on 1% of the total votes for governor at the 2022 General Election. 

CITY OF WHITEHALL

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of FDS, Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt

Petition: “Special – Whitehall” 

Signature Requirement………………………………………………………………… Min. 30 – No Maxc 

…………………………………………………………………… Ward Council Seats: Min. 15 – No Maxc

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $45.00 ($20.00 petition fee and $25.00 OEC fee) 

Offices ………………………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Quincel) ………………………………………………………………………………………….. City Council Ward Seats
(Ward 1-Dixon, Ward 2-Heck, Ward 3-Smith, Ward 4-Brown) 

Non-Partisan Primary – If the number of persons filing such declaration does not exceed twice the number of offices available for nomination, then no primary election shall be held for such office. Nominating Committee not required.

VILLAGE OF BRICE charter 

Handouts: Acknowledgement of Notice of ORC, Receipt

Petition: Form Brice Special 

Signature Requirement………………………………………………………………… Min. 10 – Max. 30c

Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………….. 4:00 p.m., February 5, 2025 

Filing Fee (cash or check) ………………….. $30.00 ($10.00 petition fee and $20.00 OEC fee) 

Offices ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Four Council Seats 

Non-Partisan Primary – If the number of persons filing such declaration does not exceed twice the number of offices available for nomination, then no primary election shall be held for such office. Petitions shall contain the names and addresses of five registered electors of the Village of Brice designated in advance by the candidate as a nominating committee. 

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Documents/Candidate-Requirements/2025-Primary-Schedule-and-Candidate-Requirements.pdf

Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.

We encourage first-timers to run for local offices in odd-numbered years. You must file a declaration of candidacy with the Franklin County Board of Elections, with completed petitions containing the number of signatures required for the office you are seeking.

Local offices include city and village council, township trustees, and school board members. With a term or two of local office, you will have the experience and credibility to run a successful campaign for county, state, or federal office, but if you have the qualifications to run for a different office, we won’t turn you down! Before starting your campaign, take a quick look at our “Candidate Quick Start Guide” video (27 minutes).

Check out Election and Candidate Resources.

We can help you. Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.

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Candidate and Campaign Training

Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.

Why run for office? Local elections are important. They affect the community and can bring about real change. Running for local roles, such as city council or school board, is a great starting point. These positions allow individuals to gain experience and learn about the political process. It is possible to build a path to bigger offices, such as state representative, state senator, or even federal positions, by starting small.

At the training, attendees will learn the basics of running for office. Topics will include the process for getting on the ballot, creating a plan for 1 or 2 year campaigns, reaching out to voters and applying Libertarian principles to public policy. Experienced speakers will share their knowledge and answer questions. It is a chance to connect with others who share a passion for making a difference in the community.

Candidate and Campaign Training
Tuesday, November 12, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 
Franklinton Library Meeting Room
1061 W Town St, Columbus

Local offices include city and village council, township trustees, and school board members. With a term or two of local office, you will have the experience and credibility to run a successful campaign for county, state, or federal office, but if you have the qualifications to run for a different office, we won’t turn you down!

Check out what elected offices are open in Franklin County for 2025.

FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT 
Judge, full term commencing 1-1-2026 ………………………………… Jodi Thomas 
Judge, full term commencing 1-2-2026 ………………………………… Jessica D’Varga
Judge, full term commencing 1-3-2026 …………………………………..James E. Green

CITY OF COLUMBUS
Offices …………………………………………………………………. City Attorney (Klein) 
…………………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Kilgore)  
……………………………………………………………………………. Council District 1 (Wyche) 
……………………………………………………………………………. Council District 3 (Dorans) 
…………………………………………………………………………… Council District 4 (Remy) 
…………………………………………………………………………… Council District 7 (Favor) 

BOARD OF EDUCATION – COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Member  ………………. Three Seats (six to be nominated) (Cole, Reyes, Vera) 

CITY OF HILLIARD
Offices …………………………………………………………………………….. Four Council Seats 

CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG
Offices …………………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Cicak) 
…………………………………………………………………………. Three Council-at-Large seats 

CITY OF WHITEHALL
Offices ……………………………………………………………………….. City Auditor (Quincel) 
….. City Council Ward Seats (Ward 1-Dixon, Ward 2-Heck, Ward 3-Smith, Ward 4-Brown)

VILLAGE OF BRICE charter
Offices ……………………………………………………………………………….. Four Council Seats 

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Documents/Candidate-Requirements/2025-Primary-Schedule-and-Candidate-Requirements.pdf

Check out Election and Candidate Resources.

Before starting your campaign, take a quick look at our “Candidate Quick Start Guide” video (27 minutes).

Recommended resources:

Election & Candidate Resources
Candidate Quick Start Guide Video

How to Win a Local Election Paperback
by Lawrence Grey

Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change Hardcover
by Eitan Hersh

Guerilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business Paperback
by Jay Conrad Levinson

Candidate and Campaign Training
Tuesday, November 12, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 
Franklinton Library Meeting Room
1061 W Town St, Columbus

Meet the Candidate – Eric Terford

October 3 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Meet the Candidate – Eric Terford

Thu Oct 3rd, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
91 Flavors Bistro
5186 East Main Street Whitehall, 43213

Get directions.

Eric Terford, candidate for Ohio’s District 2 Representative, invites the community to a “Meet the Candidate” event to discuss his vision for a more socially conscious, fiscally responsible government. As a machinist by trade, Eric brings a pragmatic, hands-on approach to problem-solving—something he believes is sorely needed in the legislative process.

Eric Terford is a strong advocate for individual rights and believes that government should serve the people without overreach. His platform focuses on minimizing unnecessary government intervention while promoting policies that foster personal freedom and social responsibility. Terford envisions a government that operates within its means, ensures fiscal responsibility, and prioritizes smart, efficient solutions for Ohio’s future.

The event will provide voters the opportunity to learn more about Eric’s platform, ask questions, and share their concerns. Eric Terford is committed to representing the interests of all District 2 residents, and this gathering offers a chance to connect with voters on key issues affecting the community.

Event Details: Meet the Candidate – Eric Terford for Ohio District 2 Representative
Date: October 3rd
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: 91 Flavors Bistro
5186 East Main Street Whitehall, 43213

Elect Eric Terford Ohio House 2

Campaign Training and Planning

September 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Franklin County Libertarians Offer Campaign Training for November Election and Beyond

Franklin County Libertarians are excited to announce a comprehensive campaign training program designed to equip candidates, volunteers, and supporters with the skills needed for success in the upcoming November election and future races. The training will cover essential aspects of campaign planning, including strategy development, voter outreach, fundraising, and digital engagement. By participating, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to run effective, grassroots campaigns that reflect Libertarian values. This initiative underscores the party’s commitment to empowering individuals to take active roles in the political process. For more information, visit Franklin County Libertarians’ website.

Contact: Franklin County Libertarians
Email: info@fclp.org
Website: www.fclpo.org

September 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Join Franklin County Libertarians to cover campaign training and planning for the November election and beyond.

Whetstone Library

3909 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214

Get Directions

Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.

We encourage first-timers to run for local offices in odd-numbered years. You must file a declaration of candidacy with the Franklin County Board of Elections, with completed petitions containing the number of signatures required for the office you are seeking.

Local offices include city and village council, township trustees, and school board members. With a term or two of local office, you will have the experience and credibility to run a successful campaign for county, state, or federal office, but if you have the qualifications to run for a different office, we won’t turn you down! Before starting your campaign, take a quick look at our “Candidate Quick Start Guide” video (27 minutes).

Check out Election and Candidate Resources.

Recommended resources:

How to Win a Local Election Paperback
by Lawrence Grey

Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change Hardcover
by Eitan Hersh

Guerilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business Paperback
by Jay Conrad Levinson

Dinner with Chase, Meet the Candidates

Join Libertarian candidate for President Chase Oliver and Franklin County Libertarians for dinner, comedy and live music.

Brandy Seymour for Ohio House of Representatives District 9

Eric Terford for Ohio House of Representatives District 2

Saturday, 24th, 6-10PM at the Antrim Park Shelterhouse!

Limited Seating! RSVP Today!

Donation Tiers and Donor Gifts.

$50 – Friend of the County Party

$100 – Philosopher – LPO Banner Mug

$250 – Activist – LPO Logo Embroidered Polo Shirt

$500 – Ambassador – “Eagle Laurels” Drawstring bag

$1000 – Strategic Partner – All of the above gifts.

$2500 – Influential Donor 😉 – All of the above gifts.

$50 minimum donation to attend.  We will need phone number to confirm attendance. Event details will be sent with confirmation.

Click DONATE below to RSVP for Dinner with Chase

Donation Tiers and Donor Gifts.

$50 – Friend of the County Party

$100 – Philosopher – LPO Banner Mug

$250 – Activist – LPO Logo Embroidered Polo Shirt

$500 – Ambassador – “Eagle Laurels” Drawstring bag

$1000 – Strategic Partner – All of the above gifts.

$2500 – Influential Donor 😉 – All of the above gifts.

RSVP for Dinner with Chase

County Party Candidate Endorsements

The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is thrilled to fully endorse the following candidates for their respective elections.

Chase Oliver for President of the United States of America

Mike ter Maat for Vice President of the United States of America

Learn more about Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat.

Don Kissick for US Senate

Tom Pruss for US House of Representatives District 9

Brandy Seymour for Ohio House of Representatives District 9

Learn more about Brandy Seymour

Eric Terford for Ohio House of Representatives District 2

Learn more about Eric Terford

Drake Lundstrom for Franklin County Treasurer

Eric Terford for Ohio House 2nd District

A machinist by trade, Eric Terford is running for Ohio House District 2, championing lower taxes, government accountability, and individual liberty.

Eric pledges to reduce the tax burden on families and businesses, fostering economic growth. Terford advocates for increased transparency in government operations, ensuring officials are held accountable for their actions.

He also emphasizes the importance of protecting personal freedoms, opposing regulations that infringe on individual rights. Terford’s platform aims to create a more efficient, responsible government that respects the autonomy of its citizens, striving for policies that enhance prosperity and safeguard liberties for all Ohioans.

Franklin County Republicans in death spiral, abandoned local and county elections

Over the past 10 years it has become obvious that the Republican Party has abandoned the dense urban centers of most Ohio cities and suburbs.

Retreating to the safety of their easy wins at the state level, and the occasional local family dynasty, the red team has abdicated all interest and effort in even token attempts to run candidates in Franklin County. (Of course, the red team is still happy to take your money! It just won’t find it’s way into helping any candidate or issue in your neighborhood.)

After spending the same decade working tirelessly to eliminate any possible competition in the form of alternative political parties, (through lawfare, intimidation and fraud), this has left voters in our area with a large and growing slate of unopposed elections, where blue team candidates file paperwork and walk into elected office without winning an election.

This has left the Franklin County red team with a dwindling, defeatist and disenfranchised volunteer and voter base, thoroughly convinced in their permanent loss of representation at the local level. This is also leading to a loss of county and local political influence.

In contrast, the Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio has spent the last 10 years working to recruit and train candidates, fundraise and support issues, and generally work to support orphaned candidates and voters, (helping independents, and even blue and red team candidates when it made sense).

We did that work while fighting off constant attacks on our political credibility while only benefiting from ballot access half the time, and pushing through odious and burdensome petitioning requirements the other half. 

How did Franklin County get to this point, with a dominating and lazy blue team, and an equally lazy, but vanishingly relevant red team?

Franklin County is an economic hub, home to Columbus, numerous smaller cities, boasting a diverse economy in finance, education, healthcare, and tech. Its central location, strong infrastructure, and vibrant workforce drive growth, attracting talent and investment, making it vital to Ohio’s prosperity.

With all this going for it, you’d think a major political party would be fighting for every precinct tooth and nail.

You would be wrong, and it wouldn’t be just the last ten years that that impression would be incorrect. 

In the distant past, when smoke filled rooms were legal, and the common way to manage politics, the red and blue teams in Franklin County struck a deal, a détente, if you will, to stay out of each other’s way. At the state level the red and blue teams took cyclical turns running the state-wide offices of governor, secretary of state and rarely commanded more than slim margins in the state house or senate.

This made such an agreement more palatable for both sides, and elected roles in Franklin County were divided up based on who most often won, leading to many unopposed elections for both teams, and candidates with very little real support when some did go “rouge”. Elected roles like Mayor of Columbus, Columbus City Council, County Commissioners and urban State Representatives were firmly blue team, while County Prosecutor, County Engineer, County Treasurer and more rural State Senators were firmly red team.

Over time the district lines shifted, but the agreement was held for the most part and political power in central Ohio leaned blue or red without much real variance.

Then something unexpected happened.

A Green Party member filed to run for County Prosecutor, a race the county blue team had largely ignored, and rarely fielded a candidate to oppose. This candidate was brash and full of energy, a real firebrand and was talking about real reform and actual political action.

Of course, the blue team could not allow any such challenge to the status quo. (Let alone a Green!)

So, they found a paper candidate on short notice to file, and with all the influence and endorsement of the blue county machine, the paper candidate sailed through the primary unopposed and found some enthusiasm among their voters.

And then the unthinkable happened.

The blue team candidate almost won the general election.

When the dust settled, the blue team tallied their numbers and realized something profound.

The demographics for central Ohio had shifted. There was no longer a reliable swing back and forth between so-called “liberal” and “conservative” voters. Columbus voters in particular seemed to have shifted firmly “liberal”.

This new understanding led the county blue team machine to ramp up recruiting, fundraising and undertake the effort of running a candidate for every race they could.

Meanwhile, the red team slumbered, even as several of their choice elected roles were competed right out from under them several times in a row. However, instead of fighting back with grass roots ground game and pouring effort and energy into revitalizing their sleepy base, they continued to demand the blue team honor the now defunct back-room agreements, and shifted strategy to controlling state level district lines.

The ”redistricting strategy” has kept the red team with a healthy margin of control of the State House and Senate, and the wide-spread, and numerous, rural voter base continues to fall for the faux conservative act for state-wide red candidates. 

However, while the population of the State of Ohio is not growing (in fact, shrinking), urban and suburban central Ohio is gaining residents, both from other cities and from rural areas. 

Red team’s control of the state-level government may be short-lived as local and county-level influence wanes. As demographic shifts and urbanization increase, their traditional rural base diminishes. This disconnect from local issues will erode voter support, leading to significant challenges in maintaining statewide power in future elections.

While at the highest level it looks like the Republican Party of Ohio is in control politically, the reality we are seeing is local and county GOP death spiral.

Ohio is moving more and more purple, and the fake “conservatives” that made their bread and butter over pretending to care about small govt, low taxes and individual liberties days are numbered.

Franklin County Libertarians offer choice on the ballot, not a fake choice between voting and not voting, but real choice with candidates who listen, live and work in our communities, shop in the same stores and experience the same concerns and share values with neighbors. 

We are not asleep, we are not going away, we are putting in the work, and we will represent all residents in Franklin County.

We are not red or blue.

We are not “liberal” or “conservative”. 

We are Libertarians.

We stand for individual freedom, limited government, free markets, and personal responsibility.

Volunteer, donate and get involved.