Campaign season is in full swing for local partisan candidates who will appear on the March 6 primary ballot.

As of Tuesday, there will be just seven more weeks until party voters select who to nominate to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The Lake County Democratic Party conducted a meeting last week and endorsed candidates for various races.

Here is what transpired, according to party officials.

For commissioner term commencing Jan. 3, 2013, incumbent Robert E. Aufuldish was endorsed over challenger Daniel W. Tharp. For the commissioner term commencing Jan. 2, Willowick Council President Judy Moran was endorsed over Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski.

Three Democratic candidates will appear on the ballot for county treasurer — state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, Perry Township Fiscal Officer Christine Page and Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers — with each endorsed by the party.

For Ohio House of Representatives District 60, Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy was endorsed over Eastlake Councilwoman Laura A. DePledge and James Helmink of Willowick.

Unopposed primary candidates who received the county party’s blessing were incumbent county Clerk of Courts Maureen G. Kelly, Susan McGuinness for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, Jim Mueller for Ohio Senate District 18 and Ann Radcliffe for county recorder.

Republican candidates for Lake County commissioner, also last weekend, attended a candidates forum hosted by the Lake County Tea Party.

After the program, a straw poll was conducted. For commissioner term commencing Jan. 2, 2013, Willoughby Hills Councilman at large David Fiebig got 33 votes, North Perry Village Councilman Richard Shreve received 14. For commissioner term commencing Jan. 3, 2013, Leroy Township Trustee Linda Burhenne received 27 votes, Madison Village Council President John Hamercheck received 20.

State central committees

Also on the ballot for this primary are races for Ohio Democratic and Republican state central committee members.

People are elected to this position by party voters and they are instrumental in shaping party policies and direction as well as helping their respective candidates be successful.

Each state central committee is divided by Ohio Senate District boundaries with a male and female representing each district. The Ohio 18th District’s boundary beginning in 2013 will consist of half of Lake County, two-thirds of Geauga County, plus all of Portage County.

Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot. I’ll try to include some other districts in a future column.

For Democratic male, it’s former state Rep. Mark A. Schneider of Mentor and Craig Stephens of Atwater. For Democratic female, it’s state Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent.

For Republican male, it’s former state Rep. Jamie Callender of Concord Township and Andrew Manning of Ravenna. Lake County Republican Party Chairman Dale H. Fellows of Willoughby Hills had been a candidate but withdrew Jan. 5. 

For Republican female, it’s Heidi Callender of Concord Township vs. Amy Sabath of Concord Township.

Fundies

n Campaign social for Hamercheck, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cornerstone Brewing Company in Madison Village. See Susan Hamercheck.

n Campaign kickoff for Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hellriegels in Painesville Township. See Sandy Patterson.

n Fundraiser for Shreve, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Mentor Beach Park. See Richard or Susie Shreve.

n Page will host a Groundhog Day Party from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Stadium Grille in Mentor. See Michele Woltman.

n Leap Day event for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Kathy DiCristofaro or Mike Apicella.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah