Butler County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Michael V. Ryan (Republican) and Mike Miller (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Commissioner.

Sitting Commissioner Cindy Carpenter (R), seeking a fifth term, lost the May 5, 2026 Republican primary to Michael Ryan, a former Hamilton City Council member, per the Journal-News. Ryan faces Democrat Mike Miller, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the November general election.

• Michael V. Ryan (Republican)

  Ryan has worked for a decade as a life insurance underwriter at Western & Southern Financial Group and served eight years on Hamilton City Council, including as vice mayor, per the campaign site. He is a Wright State University graduate and lifelong Hamilton, Ohio resident, per the campaign site.

  Priorities: Economic development, citing job creation and capital investment in Hamilton during his council tenure · Fiscal responsibility, including balanced budgets and eliminating general obligation debt (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Mike Miller (Democratic)

  Mike Miller is a longtime southwest Ohio resident, youth sports coach, and community volunteer, per the Butler County Democratic Party. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mike Miller.

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Nancy Nix (Republican) and Amy Hines (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Auditor.

Incumbent Republican Auditor Nancy Nix, who has held the office since being sworn in on February 13, 2023, faces Democrat Amy Hines in the November general election.

• Nancy Nix (Republican)Incumbent

  Nix is the Butler County Auditor, sworn in in 2023 and elected to a full term in 2024, and previously served as Butler County Treasurer for nearly 16 years, per the campaign site. Her earlier career includes work as a private banking manager, a staff accountant, and a plant controller, and she holds an MBA and is a CPA, per the campaign site.

  Priorities: Emphasizes providing high-quality customer service and running the office with honesty, competency, transparency, and accessibility, per the campaign site

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Amy Hines (Democratic)

  Amy Hines has a background in finance, operations, and real estate, per the Butler County Democratic Party. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Amy Hines.

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Jennifer McElfresh is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Court of Common Pleas Judge (General Division, full term commencing 1-1-2027).

Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge McElfresh is unopposed for a new term.

• Jennifer McElfreshIncumbent

  Jennifer McElfresh is a sitting Butler County Common Pleas Court General Division judge running unopposed for a new term, per the court's official roster. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Jennifer McElfresh.

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Daniel Haughey is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Court of Common Pleas Judge (General Division, full term commencing 1-3-2027).

Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Haughey is unopposed for a new term.

• Daniel HaugheyIncumbent

  Daniel Haughey is a sitting Butler County Common Pleas Court General Division judge running unopposed for a new term, per the court's official roster. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Daniel Haughey.

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Michael A. Oster, Jr. is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Court of Common Pleas Judge (General Division, full term commencing 2-9-2027).

Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Oster is unopposed for a new term.

• Michael A. Oster, Jr.Incumbent

  Michael A. Oster, Jr. is a sitting Butler County Common Pleas Court General Division judge running unopposed for a new term, per the court's official roster. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Michael A. Oster, Jr..

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Erik D. Niehaus is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Court of Common Pleas Judge, Juvenile Division (full term commencing 1-2-2027).

Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Niehaus is unopposed for a new term.

• Erik D. NiehausIncumbent

  Erik D. Niehaus is a sitting Butler County Common Pleas Court Juvenile Division judge running unopposed for a new term, per the court's official roster. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Erik D. Niehaus.

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John M. Holcomb is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Butler County Court of Common Pleas Judge, Probate Division (full term commencing 2-9-2027).

Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Holcomb is unopposed for a new term.

• John M. HolcombIncumbent

  John M. Holcomb is a sitting Butler County Common Pleas Court Probate Division judge running unopposed for a new term, per the court's official roster. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for John M. Holcomb.

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Matthew Byrne is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for 12th District Court of Appeals Judge (full term commencing 1-1-2027).

The 12th District Court of Appeals covers Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Preble, and Warren counties and appears on the Butler County ballot. Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Byrne is unopposed for a new term and was elected the court's presiding judge for 2026, per the Wilmington News Journal.

• Matthew Byrne

  Matthew Byrne is a sitting judge on the 12th District Court of Appeals, first elected in 2020, running unopposed for a new term, per the Wilmington News Journal. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Matthew Byrne.

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Robert A. Hendrickson is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for 12th District Court of Appeals Judge (full term commencing 2-9-2027).

The 12th District Court of Appeals covers Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Preble, and Warren counties and appears on the Butler County ballot. Ohio judges run without a party label on the November ballot. Judge Hendrickson is unopposed for a new term.

• Robert A. Hendrickson

  Robert A. Hendrickson is a sitting judge on the 12th District Court of Appeals, first elected in 2008, running unopposed for a new term, per the Wilmington News Journal. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Robert A. Hendrickson.

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Jeffrey Harris (Democratic), Phil Plummer (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio Senate District 5. Not on the November ballot: Stephen A. Huffman, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

• Jeffrey Harris (Democratic)

  Jeffrey Harris of Troy is the Democratic nominee for the open Ohio Senate District 5 seat, running against Republican Phil Plummer, per the Journal-News. No campaign website or additional biographical detail was found as of September 11, 2026.

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• Phil Plummer (Republican)

  

  Phil Plummer, the Republican nominee for the open Ohio Senate District 5 seat, currently represents Ohio House District 39 and previously served as Sheriff of Montgomery County, per his official Ohio House biography. He is not the incumbent in this Senate race, which is open. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

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Timothy B. Hornbacker (Democratic), Rodney Creech (Republican), Joshua A. Umbaugh (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 40; Rodney Creech is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

• Timothy B. Hornbacker (Democratic)

  Timothy B. Hornbacker is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Hornbacker is a retired nurse, paramedic/EMT and former dairy farmer and construction business owner, per Hornbacker campaign site.

  Priorities: Protecting family farms from corporate land purchases · Closing corporate tax loopholes and keeping tax dollars local · Investing in infrastructure, education and healthcare (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Rodney Creech (Republican)Incumbent

  

  Rodney Creech is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Rodney Creech is a sitting member for the district, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Creech, the Republican incumbent, represents Ohio House District 40, per the Ohio House of Representatives member directory. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

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• Joshua A. Umbaugh (Libertarian)

  Joshua A. Umbaugh is the Libertarian candidate for Ohio House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Umbaugh grew up in a small Midwestern town, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and has lived in Miamisburg for over a decade, per Umbaugh campaign site (search-indexed). He serves his community through his church, youth soccer, and the Citizens Urban Forestry Advisory Board, per Umbaugh campaign site (search-indexed).

  Full profile →Campaign site →

Jayson Ameer Rasheed (Democratic), Jennifer Gross (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 45; Jennifer Gross is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

• Jayson Ameer Rasheed (Democratic)

  Jayson Ameer Rasheed is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Rasheed, the Democratic nominee for Ohio House District 45, is an educator, per the Butler County Democratic Party. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

  Priorities: Strengthening public schools · Supporting working families (per the Butler County Democratic Party)

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• Jennifer Gross (Republican)Incumbent

  

  Jennifer Gross is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Jennifer Gross is a sitting member for the district, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Gross, the Republican incumbent, represents Ohio House District 45, per the Ohio House of Representatives member directory. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

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Benjamin McCall (Democratic), Thomas Hall (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 46; Thomas Hall is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

• Benjamin McCall (Democratic)

  Benjamin McCall is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. McCall is an executive and workforce development consultant and human resources professional with an MBA, per McCall campaign site. He has worked in financial services, education, healthcare and manufacturing, and has been involved with the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, per McCall campaign site.

  Priorities: Investment in public schools and youth development, citing his involvement with Lakota Public Schools · Collaborative, community-focused governance (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Thomas Hall (Republican)Incumbent

  

  Thomas Hall is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Thomas Hall is a sitting member for the district, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Hall, the Republican incumbent, represents Ohio House District 46, per the Ohio House of Representatives member directory. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

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Jordan Haire (Democratic), Diane Mullins (Republican), Jason Purviance (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 47; Diane Mullins is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

• Jordan Haire (Democratic)

  Haire has worked as a mental health counselor for 13 years and is raising a young daughter with his husband in the Fairfield and Ross area, per the campaign site.

  Priorities: Making life more affordable · Strengthening the education system · Restoring trust in government (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Diane Mullins (Republican)Incumbent

  

  Diane Mullins is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 47 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Diane Mullins is a sitting member for the district, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Mullins, the Republican incumbent, represents Ohio House District 47, per the Ohio House of Representatives member directory. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

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• Jason Purviance (Libertarian)

  Jason Purviance is the Libertarian candidate for Ohio House District 47 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Purviance, of Fairfield Township, holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Ohio State University and works as an aircraft mechanic, per WCHS-TV (Nexstar). No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.

  Priorities: Reducing the scope of government and returning power to states, communities and individuals · Tax reform so people keep more of their earnings (per the WCHS-TV)

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