Most Findlay seats already decided

FINDLAY — With only a handful of contested races on the November ballot, most Findlay government seats will go unchallenged this election. Council president, three at-large seats, seven ward representatives and the office of the city treasurer are up for election this year, along with the unexpired term of the city law director. There are contested races for 3rd Ward, 4th Ward, 5th Ward and Findlay's three at-large council seats. Eight of the 11 members of Findlay City Council, including Council President John Harrington, did not seek reelection. Findlay Law Director Robert E. Feighner, a Republican, will be the lone candidate on the ballot for the office. He was appointed to the unexpired term of former Law Director Don Rasmussen by the Hancock County Republican Party in February. The city's law director serves a four-year term. The term will begin on Jan. 1 and will expire on Dec. 31, 2027. Feighner's salary in 2026 will be $149,319. Incumbent Susan Jo Hite, a Republican, has been unchallenged in her bid for reelection. Hite has served as city treasurer since May 2011. Considered a part-time position, the term is for four years. Hite's salary in 2026 will be $11,599. Likewise, David Murphy, a Republican, has been unchallenged for the seat of council president. Murphy is a retiree of Marathon Petroleum. He was appointed to the Hancock County Regional Planning Commission in 2024. This is his first elected public office. Council president serves a two-year term. The pay will be $9,041 next year. Several ward seats are also unopposed in the general election. Republicans Nichole Coleman, 1st Ward, BJ Preston, 2nd Ward, Rodney Phillips, 6th Ward, and Danny DeLong, 7th Ward, are all running without challengers for their respective two-year terms. Coleman, former executive director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Commission, recently resigned from the post. Coleman now works as the chief culture officer for TurboVets. TurboVets is a company dedicated to improving access and services for veterans nationwide. This is Coleman's first public office. Preston is the vice president of operations for TJD Industrial Services, Findlay, and this is also his first public office. Phillips is a retired Findlay firefighter. He retired with the rank of captain after 27 years of service. He is the operations manager at Buffalo Cartridge Company, 1701 Broad Ave., an ammunition supplier, and is the lead firearm instructor at The Buffalo Trading Company, 2220 Bright Road, a sporting goods store and museum. This is his first public office. DeLong is retired from a 42-year career in retail sales and management. This is also his first public office. Members of Findlay City Council serve two-year terms. Their salary in 2026 will be $9,041.