Another incumbent out of Findlay council races

FINDLAY — Another incumbent Findlay councilman has dropped his bid to be elected to city council. On Tuesday, 7th Ward Councilman Josh Palmer announced that he has withdrawn his candidacy from the Republican primary for the council's three at-large seats. "Due to personal reasons, I am withdrawing from the Republican Party primary for city council-at-large. The decision to withdraw was not an easy decision, but a necessary one," said Palmer in a statement to The Courier on Tuesday. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me, from signing petitions so I could appear on the ballot, offering friendly advice and kind words, to voting for me. I greatly appreciate that support." Palmer wished the remaining at-large candidates luck in the primary race. "Lastly, I ask the candidates running for council-at-large to continue to make Findlay an even better place to live, work, play, and pray," Palmer said. The remaining candidates in the Republican primary for the at-large seats are Antonia Faisant, Heather Kensinger, L. Reed Needles, Randy Otermat and Bradley Wagner. Voters will pick three. Seven of 10 Findlay City Council members opted not to seek reelection this year, including all three incumbent Republican at-large council members: Grant Russel, Jeff Wobser and Randy Greeno. Jenny Fall was the sole Democrat to file for at-large and will challenge the three Republican nominees for one of the three seats in the general election. The 7th Ward will elect a new council representative. The Republican primary race is between Dan Delong and Brody Yingling. No Democrats filed for the seat. Independent candidates can still enter the general election. The filing deadline for independent candidates is 4 p.m. May 5, at the elections board, 201 E Lincoln St. Signature requirements vary, based on position, and factor in the number of votes in the last election for Ohio governor. Jody O'Brien, an elections board director, said independent candidates are advised to request the correct signature count and rules for their petitions from the elections board. Early voting for the primary election starts April 8.