Sweeping change coming to Findlay City Council

FINDLAY — Elections in 2025 will bring sweeping change to Findlay City Council. The deadline for candidates to file petitions with the Hancock County Board of Elections for the May 6 primary was 4 p.m. Wednesday. Council president, three at-large seats, seven ward representatives and the office of the city treasurer are up for election this year. Most incumbent councilmen did not file petitions, but only a few seats may go unchallenged. Candidate petitions must still be certified by the elections board. The board is expected to certify candidates at its meeting on Feb. 14. Republican David Murphy filed the sole petition for president of Findlay Council. No Democrats filed for the seat. Incumbent Council President John Harrington did not file petitions. The Republican primary race for Findlay's three at-large seats may be heavily contested, despite all three incumbents — Grant Russel, Jeff Wobser and Randy Greeno — not filing. Six Republicans filed candidate petitions for the three at-large seats, including Antonia Faisant, Heather Kensinger, L. Reed Needles, Randy Otermat, Bradley Wagner and Findlay's 7th Ward Councilman Josh Palmer. Jenny Fall was the sole Democrat to file for at-large. In Findlay's 1st Ward, incumbent Holly Frische and Nichole Coleman filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. No Democrats filed. In the 2nd Ward, Republicans Michael Gentry and Brett "BJ" Preston filed petitions. No Democrats filed. Incumbent Councilman Dennis Hellmann did not file petitions. For 3rd Ward, Republicans Patricia Klein and Carol S. Smith filed petitions. Democrat Shaun Mason also filed. Incumbent Councilwoman Beth Warnecke did not file. For 4th Ward, incumbent councilman, Republican Dan DeArment filed petitions. No Democrats filed. In the 5th Ward, Republicans Brian Bauman, the incumbent, and Kimberly Meador filed petitions. No Democrats filed. For 6th Ward, Republicans Rodney D. Phillips and Haydee Sadler filed petitions. No Democrats filed. Incumbent Jim Niemeyer, a Republican, did not file. And for 7th Ward, Republicans Dan DeLong and Brody Yingling filed petitions. No Democrats filed. Palmer, who currently represents 7th Ward, is seeking an at-large seat. Findlay Treasurer Susan Jo Hite, a Republican, filed petitions. No Democrats filed. Council members, including council president, serve two-year terms. City treasurers serve four-year terms. The annual pay for council members in 2024 was $8,693, and the treasurer's salary was $11,152. Council members, including council president, and the treasurer will receive a 4% pay raise this year.