ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Just like in some sports playoffs – where some teams get “byes” or don’t have to face competition in the first round – some candidates found themselves not having opposition in Tuesday’s primary election in Ohio.

At the top of the ballot, U.S. Sen. John Husted, R-Ohio, ran unopposed for re-election on the GOP ticket. The race attracted two Democrats, former Sen. Sherrod Brown and Ron Kincaid, with Brown earning the nomination.

Democrats Amy Acton, candidate for governor, and her lieutenant governor teammate David Pepper faced no competition in the primary, though Republican voters had three choices – Heather Hill and Stuart Moats, Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton and Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley. Ramaswamy and McColley were declared victors.

Charrie L. Foglio ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 96th District seat in the Ohio House. The Republican race was a contest between incumbent Rep. Ron Ferguson and former Rep. Frank Hoagland.

Current Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, who is term limited, ran unopposed in Tuesday’s GOP primary for the office of attorney general. Also wanting the job were two Democrats, Elliot Forhan and John J. Kulewicz.

Seth Watson was the only Democrat who filed in the race for Ohio treasurer. Candidates on the Republican side were Jay Edwards and Kristina D. Roegner.

In Belmont County, Franklin Cecil Shaffer Jr. was the only Democrat to file for the open commission seat being vacated by current commissioner Jerry Echemann. Three Republicans wanted the job – Dominic DeFelice, Chuck Probst and David Schafer.

No Democrats filed in the race for county auditor. Republicans on the ballot included Cindi L. Henry, John Nick Ferrelli and Josh Meyer.

Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge Chris Berhalter faced no opposition on the GOP ticket for re-election, and there were no Democrats who filed in the race.

Likewise County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Judge Albert Davies was the only candidate in his race on the Republican ballot. No Democratic candidates entered the race.