ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Wednesday marked the filing deadline for the March 19 primary election, and there are contested races on the ballot at several levels.

Belmont County Deputy Elections Director Kamron Chervenak said the candidates will be officially certified at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the board office, 52180 National Road.

Chervenak said election staffers are reviewing the candidates’ petitions.

“Right now we are going through, making sure they’re filled out correctly and they meet all the requirements as far as signatures, and that those signatures are eligible,” she said. “If a petition is not certified, then they can file what is called a protest hearing and our board will review their reasons for wanting to have a protest hearing, ultimately determine whether or not we’re going to hold one for them.

“Some of the districts, they don’t necessarily file here, so their names aren’t on our list,” she said regarding statewide or federal offices.

Chervenak said other preparations are underway for the March primary.

“We are now in the process of looking for poll workers as well, so if people are interested they can always reach out to our office,” she said.

She added that there will be a full staff of four poll workers — two Democrats and two Republicans — at each of the county’s 70 precincts. Anyone wishing to be a poll worker should call 740-526-0188.

With U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson stepping down to take over as president of Youngstown State University, his 6th Congressional District is in play, with Republicans state Sen. Michael A. Rulli of Salem, state Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus of Minerva and Rick Tsai of East Palestine in the running for GOP nomination. Rylan Z. Finzer, a Bedford Heights Democrat, was the first candidate to file for the office on Dec. 12.

For the 95th District in the Ohio House of Representatives, incumbent Don Jones of Freeport is facing off with Nelson E. Roe of Cumberland for the Republican nomination.

On the Seventh District Court of Appeals, incumbent Republican Mary DeGenaro of Poland is facing challenger Katelyn Dickey of Lisbon.

Two seats are up for grabs on the Belmont County Board of Commissioners. Challenger Vince Gianangeli of Colerain is contending with incumbent Josh Meyer of Bellaire for the Republican nomination to one seat, while incumbent J.P. Dutton of St. Clairsville will face challenger Shaun Patrick Moran of St. Clairsville for the GOP nomination for the second seat.

For Republican state central committeewoman, Nichole Hunter of New Matamoras is running against Khadine Ritter of Marietta.

In the race for Republican Precinct 002 central committee representative, Lou Ann Bennett of Bellaire is running against Josh Meyer of Bellaire.

In the race for Republican Precinct 012 central committee representative, Andrew L. Sutak of Martins Ferry is running against James P. Zupko Jr. of Martins Ferry.

In the race for Republican Precinct 021 representative, Linda Jordan of St. Clairsville is running against Michael Smith of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 022 representative, Charles E. Hill Jr. of St. Clairsville is running against Milton F. Sumner of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 023 representative, Nathan P. Brinker of St. Clairsville is running against Kristi Lipscomb of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 024 representative, Kamron Chervenak of St. Clairsville is running against Galen Eric Martin of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 036 representative, Donald Semancik of St. Clairsville is running against Melissa Jo Starkey of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 039 representative, Frank L. Carrothers of Bridgeport is running against Michael A. Sikora of Bridgeport.

For Republican Precinct 050 representative, Gregory Bandy of Bethesda is running against Joseph Crum of Bethesda.

For Republican Precinct 072 representative, Thomas Gorza of Bridgeport is running against Karel L. Murad of Bridgeport.

For Republican Precinct 097 representative, Raymond James Dobbs of St. Clairsville, J.P. Dutton of St. Clairsville and William E. Kutchell Jr. of St. Clairsville are running.

For Republican Precinct 100 representative, Randall Alderman of St. Clairsville is running against James P. DeNoble of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 103 representative, Bruce G. Blank of Stewartsville is running against Gregory Allen Clark of St. Clairsville.

For Republican Precinct 111 representative, Justin W. DeMarchi of Belmont is running against Debra Lynn Justice of Belmont.

For Republican Precinct 112 representative, Donald Eberhart of Barnesville is running against Kent W. Gallagher of Barnesville.