ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A Belmont County commissioner is facing a challenge in the coming May 3 primary election, while the county auditor’s race will be contested in the fall.

The deadline for candidates to file to run for office was Wednesday. Incumbent Commissioner Jerry Echemann of Martins Ferry filed for the Republican nomination to defend his seat. This would be Echemann’s second term, having first been elected in 2018. He said he is proud of his record on the board, which includes paving roads and maintaining the budget.

Vince Gianangeli of Colerain also filed a petition to run for the commission seat as a Republican candidate. Gianangeli had run for a commissioner’s seat during the 2020 race. He is a former director of Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services, a Colerain Township fiscal officer, and currently serves as principal of St. John Central Academy in Bellaire. He said he brings a strong financial background at the state and county levels of government.

Jack Regis Sr. of Martins Ferry filed in the same race as a Democrat. He was a longtime facilities manager for the county and a firefighter in Martins Ferry. He also is a Martins Ferry city councilman and a former mayor. He said he brings an understanding of the county’s operations and will reach out to the public to learn more of their needs and issues.

For the Belmont County auditor’s seat, incumbent Cindi Henry filed for re-election and is seeking a second term. She will be on the Republican ticket.

Democrat Jessa Lepic, a longtime employee at the auditor’s office, filed to run against Henry in the Nov. 8 general election.

The Belmont County Board of Elections will meet at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10 to certify all candidacies prior to the Feb. 14 certification deadline. The board office is located at 52180 National Road, St. Clairsville.

“Our job is to make sure that the candidate filled out the petitions correctly, meets the minimum requirements of the signatures and lives within that jurisdiction,” Assistant Director Kamrom Chervenak said. “There’s certain guidelines to meet when you file your petition, and that’s ultimately what we look at.”

Military and overseas absentee voting in the primary begins March 18. The deadline to register to vote is April 4, and early in-person voting begins April 5 – the same day absentee voting by mail starts. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 3, Election Day.