SCIOTO COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSES FULL SLATE OF 2026 CANDIDATES

Slate includes the party's first endorsement of an independent candidate

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The Scioto County Democratic Party voted unanimously at its regular monthly committee meeting on Thursday, July 23, to endorse 14 candidates for federal, state, judicial and county office ahead of the November 3 general election.

The endorsements cover every level of the ballot Scioto County voters will see this fall — from the top of the statewide ticket down to the county courthouse.

"As the local Democratic party, we feel that it is important to wholeheartedly support the candidates that represent our values and will best represent the people of this county and state," said Sara Tomko, chair of the Scioto County Democratic Party.

For the first time in the party's history, the slate includes a candidate who is not a Democrat.

The committee endorsed the following candidates:

Statewide Executive Offices

• Dr. Amy Acton and David Pepper — Governor and Lieutenant Governor

• John J. Kulewicz — Attorney General

• Allison Russo — Secretary of State

• Annette Blackwell — Auditor of State

• Seth Walsh — Treasurer of State

  
  

Ohio Supreme Court

• Justice Jennifer Brunner — Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio

• Judge Marilyn Zayas — Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio

  
  

Federal Offices

• Sherrod Brown — United States Senate

• Jen Mazzuckelli — United States House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District

  
  

Ohio General Assembly

• Collin Docterman — Ohio House of Representatives, 90th District

  
  

Scioto County Offices

• Abby Spears — Scioto County Commissioner, full term

• Kathryn Cochran — Scioto County Commissioner, unexpired term (independent write-in candidate)

• Tricia Eichenlaub — Scioto County Auditor

  
  

The endorsement of Kathryn Cochran, an independent write-in candidate for county commissioner, is the first time the Scioto County Democratic Party has endorsed a candidate outside its own party. The committee amended its bylaws in 2025 to allow the endorsement of independent candidates in races when their views best align with the citizens of Scioto County — a change adopted before Cochran entered this race, and written for circumstances like this one: a county office that would otherwise go before voters uncontested.

Cochran filed her declaration of intent as a write-in candidate with the Scioto County Board of Elections in May of this year, after learning Smith would run unopposed in the general election.

"I am deeply grateful to the Scioto County Democratic Party for its trust and support, and I am honored to be the recipient of this historic endorsement," Cochran said. "It shows that we can put people ahead of party labels and work together for the future of Scioto County. It is time for regular people to step forward, take our seats at the table, and help build a county government that listens, serves, and answers to the people. I am proud to stand alongside Abby Spears, Tricia Eichenlaub, and Collin Docterman, and grateful to be welcomed as part of this team."

How to vote for Cochran. Two county commissioner seats appear on this November's ballot, and they are separate races. Cochran is a candidate for the county commissioner seat for the unexpired term commencing January 1, 2027, where Republican Merit Smith is the only candidate whose name is printed on the ballot. Because Cochran is a write-in candidate, her name will not appear there — voters must write it in the space provided beneath that heading. A write-in vote entered under the other commissioner race, the full-term seat where Abby Spears is the Democratic candidate, will not be counted.

The Scioto County Democratic Party meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the New Boston Community Center. Meetings are open to the public and new members are welcome.

Ohio's general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The voter registration deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026. Voters can confirm their registration and find early voting hours through the Scioto County Board of Elections.

About the Scioto County Democratic Party

The Scioto County Democratic Party is the county's Democratic central and executive committee, organizing, endorsing and supporting candidates across Scioto County. Learn more at sciotodems.org.