COLUMBUS, Ohio — With Ohio’s primary election less than two weeks away, some Republican voters in the 51st Statehouse District are considering candidates carefully.


What You Need To Know

  • Ohio's 51st Statehouse District includes Tuscarawas and part of Stark County

  • Candidates in the Republican primary are incumbent Brett Hillyer and Jodi Salvo

  • The winner will face the Democratic primary winner in November, either John Bazaar or Joe Rinehart


The ballot includes incumbent Brett Hillyer, vying for a fourth term as a state representative, and Jodi Salvo, a director at a behavioral health organization.

Voters weighed in on what they’re looking for in a candidate.

“I like people who are very transparent with how they feel, even if it doesn’t align necessarily with what we want them to do,” Vyktoria Hardy said.

“I mean, they’re going to be taking care of me, right? So it’s very important to me that we have good leaders coming up,” Gail Houglan said.

The winner of the District 51 Republican primary will go on to face the Democratic primary winner, either John Bazaar or Joe Rinehart, in November’s general election.