ATHENS, Ohio — So far, two partisan candidates have filed to run for Athens County Commissioner this fall.
Both a Democrat and Republican have filed to run to replace current Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, whose term ends Dec. 31.
Eliason, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998 and is not seeking reelection.
Democrat Autumn Brown, of Nelsonville, filed to run for Athens County Commissioner for a full term beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and lasts for four years. She filed her petition in July 2025. Brown could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
According to her campaign’s Facebook page, she currently serves as the director of Integrate Athens with the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“I am excited to run for an office that supports all of Athens County,” her campaign page states.
Republican Sarah Smith, of Albany, also filed to run for commissioner. She filed her petition in January.
Smith told the Independent she is seeking the office “because I think there are a lot of changes that need to be made in our county and the way that it’s ran, as far as our infrastructure and onto our school systems.”
She specifically mentioned concerns around property taxes, a topic of both county and statewide concern.
“A lot of people that I’ve spoken to that are not pleased with the state of our county and the current job the commissioners are doing, and they would like to see some change,” Smith said. “So I’m hoping to enact that change.”
Smith is a current executive committee member of the Athens County Republican Party. She filed to run uncontested in the May primary for a third term on the committee, representing the Alexander East Precinct.
“I’m very involved in local politics, and I’m a small business owner. My husband and I also own a farm in the area,” Smith said. “I’m also a full time employee elsewhere, so I see it coming from all directions.”
Smith said she would be releasing a press release later this week with more information about her campaign.
“I’m educated, I am very strong willed, I will listen to the opinions of everybody, regardless of political beliefs, and I will do my best to fight for everybody in this county, which I think is something that the current commissioners fail to do,” Smith said. “I think they worry more about the city than they do the county, and I think the county needs some attention.”
Local issues
City of Athens residents will vote once again on whether or not to increase the municipal earned income tax.
The city is seeking a 0.2% income tax increase after voters shot down a 0.3% increase in November 2025. It would raise the tax from 1.95% to 2.15%, generating an additional $1.8 million annually for the city’s general fund, and collection would begin in 2027.
Albany residents will vote on implementing a proposed additional, five-year street maintenance property tax, which would be for 3 mills, at a cost of about $105 per every $100,000 in property value. The tax would generate around $63,300 annually.
Amesville voters will look at two property tax renewals. The first is for fire protection services, at 3 mills, at a cost of about $97 per every $100,000 in property value, beginning this year and first due in 2027.
The proposed Albany fire protection levy would generate around $6,800 annually. The second is a 4 mill, five-year levy, beginning this year and first due in 2027, estimated to collect around $7,700 annually for village expenses. The levy would cost about $108 per every $100,000 in property value.
Buchtel residents will also decide upon an additional proposed property tax for village expenses, for 5 mills, at a cost of about $175 per $100,000 in property value, lasting five years and starting this year. The tax would collect $32,600 annually.
Jacksonville voters will also look at two proposed property tax renewals.
The first is for fire protection services in Jacksonville, at 3 mills and lasting for five years beginning this year. The second is for the village of Jacksonville’s current operating expenses, at 3.2 mills for five years. Both taxes are estimated to cost $87 per every $100,000 in property value and to generate $11,000 annually.
Trimble Township residents will vote upon a proposed property tax renewal for fire protection services. The tax is for 1.4 mills, lasting for five years, beginning next year, at a cost of about $21 per every $100,000 in property value. It would collect around $30,000 annually.
Troy Township voters will decide upon a proposed additional property tax, at 2 mills, lasting for five years and beginning this year, for street and bridge maintenance. The tax would cost $87 per every $100,000 in property value. The tax is estimated to generate $110,000 annually.
County auditor
Republican incumbent Athens County Auditor Jill Davidson, of Athens, filed to run once again for county auditor. She filed her petition in December 2025. Davidson has held the office since 2000.
No other partisan candidates filed for the position.
Judges
Running for judge is incumbent Democrat Patrick Lang, of Athens, who is seeking a third consecutive four-year term as Athens County Court of Common Pleas judge. Lang was first elected in 2014.
Also running for judge is incumbent Democrat Zachary Saunders, of The Plains, for probate and juvenile court divisions. He filed his petition in October 2025. Saunders has held the office since 2020, when he was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him.
Both judges filed their petitions in October 2025.
More information
The deadline for partisan candidates to file to run for office and for local issues petitions for the May 5 primary election was Feb. 4. The board must certify the petitions by Feb. 17. The deadline to register to vote in the May primary is April 6.
The Athens County Board of Elections’ next regular meeting will be 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 15 S. Court St., Athens.
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