DeFelice Brothers Pizza owner and operator Dominic DeFelice has secured the 2026 republican candidacy for Belmont County Commissioner in the primary election.

MARTINS FERRY — Local business owner Dominic DeFelice secured the 2026 Republican nomination for Belmont County commissioner in Tuesday’s primary election.

DeFelice is the owner and operator of DeFelice Brothers Pizza.

He defeated two other candidates: former Ohio Department of Transportation Belmont County transportation administrator David Schafer and former four-term commissioner Chuck Probst.

DeFelice received 1,790 votes, while Schafer received 1,733 and Probst received 687.

DeFelice will face Democratic candidate Franklin Cecil Shaffer Jr. of Bellaire in November. Shaffer secured his party’s nomination after running unopposed.

“I just want to thank all of the supporters who came out,” he said. “I look forward to the next round — it’s not over. I’ve got to go up against Frank Shaffer, and I’m going to be back out in Belmont County to earn those votes.”

He added that between now and November, he plans to show residents — both Republicans and Democrats — why he believes he should earn their vote.

He also thanked Schafer and Probst for a clean and civil race.

“I wish them well. It was a good race. We all said that we were going to keep it clean, and we did,” DeFelice said. “That’s the way I operate, and I’m glad to have been able to be a part of this.”

He said he is excited for November and hopes to become the next Belmont County commissioner.