Five candidates file to replace Vinton County Commissioner Tim Eberts

1. C. Scott Ward

C. Scott Ward is one of four Republican candidates who filed to replace Vinton County Commissioner Tim Eberts. Ward joins a crowded GOP primary that will determine the party’s nominee for the Jan. 1 term of County Commissioner; "Eberts is a Republican and four of the five candidates seeking to replace him are also Republicans." His entry matters locally because a contested Republican primary will shape which priorities—budget stewardship, road and service delivery, and intergovernmental relations—dominate discussions heading into the general election. Voters in townships and villages will watch how Ward positions himself against fellow Republicans to appeal to both conservative base voters and more moderate county residents.

2. Jeremiah Jones

Jeremiah Jones is another Republican who filed for the open commissioner seat, adding to a field that will be decided in the May 5 Primary Election. Jones’s candidacy increases the competition inside the GOP and underscores that the county’s dominant party will be choosing its standard-bearer in May; "The GOP field in the May 5 Primary Election will be composed of C. Scott Ward, Jeremiah Jones, Phyllis Hollingshead Henry and Danny Wiseman." For residents, Jones’s presence means more debates, forums and opportunities to press candidates on day‑to‑day county services, fiscal priorities and how the next board of commissioners will work with township trustees and municipal leaders like McArthur’s mayor. The primary dynamic also matters for turnout patterns that can affect down-ballot races across Vinton County.

3. Phyllis Hollingshead Henry

Phyllis Hollingshead Henry is a Republican entrant in the race to succeed Tim Eberts, contributing to a four-way GOP contest. Her candidacy helps define how internal Republican differences will be aired publicly in the weeks leading to the primary, and it gives voters more choice about the direction of county governance. In a small county, name recognition, local networks and community endorsements often matter as much as policy positions, so Henry’s campaign will likely focus on neighborhood-level outreach across precincts. The eventual nominee will need to consolidate those local ties to present a unified agenda for the general election.

4. Danny Wiseman

Danny Wiseman is the fourth Republican who filed to run for the open commissioner seat, completing the GOP cohort that will contest the May primary. Wiseman’s run ensures multiple Republican perspectives vie for a position that can affect county budgets, infrastructure decisions and collaboration with municipal officials. With four Republicans in the field, the primary could split votes in ways that elevate candidates with strong grassroots organization or concentrated support in specific townships. For the broader community, Wiseman’s candidacy underscores the importance of following the primary calendar and attending candidate events to compare the candidates’ priorities.

5. Steven Hammond

Steven Hammond is the lone Democratic candidate who filed to replace Tim Eberts and currently serves as mayor of McArthur. As the only Democrat in the race, Hammond will be the party’s choice heading toward the general election, offering voters a clear contrast in party affiliation and municipal leadership experience. His record as mayor will be a central part of his appeal, and his candidacy brings McArthur’s concerns directly into the countywide conversation. Voters should note that the filing window has closed: "The filing deadline for partisan candidates in Ohio came at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4."