Unless something changes quickly, 4 p.m. Wednesday is the deadline for partisan candidates to file to run for office March 6, except for U.S. House of Representatives and president.

Races have begun to shape up quickly and include several contested primaries.

As of this writing, there is a potential two-way Democratic primary for Lake County treasurer, as state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende of Willowick and Perry Township Fiscal Officer Christine J. Page each have filed for the party nomination.

Who will run as the Republican Party candidate for treasurer? So far, no one has filed, but Mentor Councilman Scott J. Marn is mentioned as a possibility.

Marn is also mentioned as potential candidate for Lake County commissioner where two Republicans — Willoughby Hills Councilman at large David M. Fiebig and North Perry Village Councilman Richard Shreve — have filed for the Jan. 2, 2013, term held by Commissioner Raymond E. Sines, who doesn’t plan to run for re-election.

Willowick Council President Judy Moran is the lone Democrat to file for this term. Perhaps Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski will file too?

So far, no Republican has filed for the Jan. 3, 2013, seat where incumbent Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, a Wickliffe Democrat, is the only candidate.

We’re still waiting for Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, a Willowick Democrat who is not up for re-election next year, to make up his mind whether he will run for state representative for the Ohio House 60 District. 

Troy has made no secret of his interest in the position for which another Willowick Democrat, James Helmink, has also filed.

If Troy or another Democrat files (maybe Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers), it would create another contested primary.

Other candidates to file in Lake County are county Clerk of Courts Maureen G. Kelly, a Democrat seeking re-election; Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Vincent A. Culotta, a Kirtland Republican seeking re-election; and Concord Township resident Ann M. Radcliffe for county recorder,

Recent Geauga County filings

Robert A. Evans has filed to run for county coroner, and Mark E. Porter has filed to run for Ohio House of Representatives 76th District. Others signing out petitions include Mary E. O’Toole and Anthony Peto.

Perhaps one of these three people will be appointed by Ohio House Republicans to replace state Rep. Richard Hollington, R-Hunting Valley, when he becomes mayor of his city in January.

The district will consist of Hunting Valley, Middlefield, Burton, and the townships of Auburn, Bainbridge, Burton, Chardon, Chester, Middlefield, Munson, Newbury, Parkman and Russell in Geauga County, plus all of Portage County.

Potential Ohio Senate vacancy?

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, is the state senator for the Ohio Senate District 25, which in 2013 will consist of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County, plus Euclid, Richmond Heights and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

She has filed petitions with the Cuyahoga County Elections Board to run for 11th Congressional District in a potential primary with incumbent U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights.

If Turner wins, Ohio Senate Democrats would be able to appoint a new state senator. If Turner loses, she still would have two years remaining on her state Senate seat.

Fundies

n Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County recorder, campaign kickoff will be 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cork’s Wine Bar in Willoughby. See Susan Culotta.

n Moran’s campaign kickoff from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Capelli’s in Mentor. See Kathy Russo.

n Fiebig’s Seasons Event from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Dino’s Restaurant in Willoughby. See Cindy Quinn-Hopkins or Joyce Hribar Fiebig.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah