MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Republican Central Committee met Thursday night to endorse candidates in the March 2024 primary election.
Candidates must receive two-thirds of the vote to be endorsed. If there are more than two candidates for a position, the one receiving the fewest votes is eliminated from the next round of voting.
Balloting continues until two candidates remain.
In the race for the 98th District in the Ohio House of Representatives, Mark Hiner received two-thirds vote on the first ballot. Other candidates are Brandon Lape and Scott Pullins.
On the first ballot, the committee endorsed incumbent Thom Collier in his bid to retain the commissioner’s seat for the term starting Jan. 3, 2025. Bob Phillips is also running for the seat.
Capt. William Shaffer won the committee’s endorsement for Knox County Sheriff with a two-thirds vote on the first ballot. Other candidates are Danville Police Chief Daniel Weckesser and retired Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Noggle.
The committee did not endorse a candidate for the Ohio Senate, the Jan. 2 commissioner’s term, or the county treasurer races.
Connie Durbin and Mount Vernon Councilwoman Amber Keener are vying for the treasurer nomination.
Jeff Harmer, Barry Lester, Jennifer Snow, and Scott Zimmerman are running for the open commissioner’s seat starting Jan. 2, 2025. Zimmerman came one vote shy on the third ballot of the required two-thirds needed.
2024 primary
The 2024 primary will be held on March 19. The filing deadline is Dec. 20 at 4 p.m.
Party chairman Collier said the central committee historically holds the endorsement meeting before the filing deadline because the elimination and endorsement process closely reflects election outcomes.
“We know campaigns are expensive and stressful. This gives candidates an opportunity to decide whether they want to continue,” he explained.