Frankart wins commissioner primary

TIFFIN — Incumbent Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart has defeated Republican challenger Jim Distel in Tuesday's primary election, according to unofficial results from the Seneca County Board of Elections. Frankart won by 53 votes overall. Frankart received 3,051 votes in Seneca County while Distel received 2,998. Frankart, a farmer and former Adams Township Trustee, was first elected commissioner in November 2022. He ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and continuity, pointing to projects including the county's new agricultural building and the ongoing rural broadband expansion during his current term. Distel, a Clinton Township Trustee and service manager at Reineke Ford, challenged Frankart from within the Republican Party, centering his campaign on leadership accountability and community engagement. No Democratic candidate filed for the seat. However, independent candidates may still enter the race. The Seneca County Board of Elections must certify any independent candidate petitions by July 15.Results are unofficial pending certification by the Seneca County Board of Elections.