Independent candidate files for 5th Ward

FINDLAY — The winner of today's Republican primary in the 5th Ward may face an independent challenger in the Nov. 4 general election. Kevin J. Cullen filed independent candidate petitions with the Hancock County Board of Elections, 201 E. Lincoln St., on Monday. The deadline was 4 p.m. The petitions must still be certified, with the date to be determined. Cullen was the only independent candidate to file on Monday in Findlay's city government elections. Council president, three at-large seats, seven ward representatives and the office of the city treasurer are up for election this year. Cullen, 69, is the owner of the Academy of Martial Arts Studies, Findlay, and is an adjunct professor of TESOL (Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages) at the University of Findlay. He is also the lead singer of the Findlay-based Together Band. Cullen was appointed as a councilman for the Village of Elmore in 2000 and served one year. Vying for the Republican nomination to represent 5th Ward in today's election are Brian Bauman, the incumbent, and Kimberly Meador. Both are residents of Findlay's West Park subdivision. Bauman, 37, is self-employed and in his second term representing the 5th Ward. Bauman made an unsuccessful run for the seat in 2019 and was unopposed in 2021 and 2023. He is one of only three incumbent Findlay council members seeking reelection this year. Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, is seeking reelection and is being challenged by Nichole Coleman, executive director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, 1100 E. Main Cross St. Dan DeArment, R-4, is unchallenged in the primaries. No Democrats filed in the three wards. Meador, 65, is a retiree. She is a member of the Hancock County Republican Central Committee, representing Precinct 5-E, and vice president of West Park Block Watch. Today's Republican primaries will decide most other city races, with Democrats to challenge the GOP nominee for only two seats in the Nov. 4 general election, vying for at-large and 3rd Ward. Five Republicans are competing today for Findlay's three at-large council seats, including Antonia Faisant, Heather Kensinger, L. Reed Needles, Randy Otermat and Bradley Wagner. Voters will select three. Councilman Josh Palmer, R-7, now serving his third term, filed candidate petitions to run for an at-large seat in the Republican primaries. Palmer then dropped out of the race in March, citing personal reasons. Democrat Jenny Fall will compete for an at-large seat against the three Republican nominees in November. In the GOP primary for the city's 3rd Ward, Republicans Patricia Klein and Carol S. Smith are vying for the party's nomination. Democrat Shaun Mason will challenge the winner in November.