Montgomery County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Cassandra A. Rice is a Democratic Party candidate for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division in Ohio. She has experience as counsel and as an appointed estate representative or guardian. This background informs her commitment to fairness, transparency, patience, and a community-focused court.

Priorities: Ensuring a fair, efficient, compassionate, and accessible Probate Court for every family. · Treating families with dignity and applying the law in a correct and equitable manner. · Making the court process clear, quick, and respectful, with transparent and well-reasoned rulings.

Michael L. Wright is a distinguished trial attorney and a founding partner of Attorney Michael Wright, based in Dayton, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Cincinnati. Since being admitted to practice law in 1997, he has dedicated his career to advocating for individuals who have suffered due to others’ negligence or misconduct.

David Brannon is a judge for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (Probate Division) in Ohio, having been elected to the bench in November 2020. He earned a B.A. from Miami University in 2002 and a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2005.

Priorities: Partnering with nonprofit organizations and the University of Dayton law school to organize a law clinic for the probate court.

In an award-winning career spanning more than 40 years, Karl Keith has an extensive background in local government and public service. Appointed Montgomery County Auditor in December 2000, voters have since elected Keith to serve five full terms, most recently in 2018. He has been recognized with state and national awards for developing innovative initiatives to make government more responsive, more transparent, and

Priorities: making government more responsive, more transparent, and more accessible to the public

Tammy Murphy, New Jersey's First Lady, launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate but suspended it on March 24, 2024. She has a background in international finance and has been involved in initiatives related to infant and maternal health and climate change education.

Priorities: Protecting reproductive rights · Fighting for gun control · Addressing climate change

Elizabeth Ellis has served as a judge of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, since June 2023, presiding over numerous civil and criminal cases. A resident of Oakwood for 25 years, she lives with her husband and two teenage children. She grew up on a dairy farm, with her father working as a veterinarian and her mother as an interior designer.

Derek Muncy is a combat veteran of the United States Army, having served 24 years with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He is also a small business owner, a husband, a father of two daughters, and a former middle school basketball coach, seeking to serve as Supervisor for District B.

Priorities: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT · AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PRESERVING OUR SMALL-TOWN CHARACTER

Anne Keeton was a Democratic Party candidate for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio. She was on the ballot in the Democratic primary election held on May 5, 2026.

David Esrati is a Dayton, Ohio-based publisher, marketer, and citizen journalist who focuses on local government, courts, schools, and public records. He runs an ad agency, The Next Wave, and has been involved in neighborhood and civic projects for decades. Esrati is a U.S. Army veteran and has run for Congress multiple times.

Priorities: Campaign finance and election reform, including public funding and instant runoff voting · National healthcare system and limiting corporate influence in healthcare · Government transparency, open records, and streamlining local governments

Manuel Foggie is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House to represent Ohio's 10th Congressional District. A lifelong Ohioan, he previously ran for Cincinnati City Council and has worked in the justice system and as a certified firefighter. Foggie is focused on advocating for working families and addressing local issues.

Priorities: Supporting job growth, small businesses, and economic development while addressing rising costs for housing, groceries, and everyday expenses. · Addressing community safety challenges, including the opioid and fentanyl crisis, through federal, state, and local collaboration. · Advocating for strong public schools, workforce training programs, and continued support for veterans and military families.

Janice C. Beckett is a lifelong Ohioan and nationally recognized expert in federal law, defense acquisition, and international security cooperation. She built a nearly forty-year career advising senior leaders at the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense. Beckett is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Ohio's 10th District.

Priorities: Lowering costs and improving affordability for working families · Implementing orderly, humane, and workable immigration reform · Safeguarding voting rights and strengthening democratic participation

Jan Kinner is a Democratic candidate for Ohio's 10th Congressional District. He is a retired Air Force Colonel who also worked as a consultant and professor. Kinner volunteers as a Senior Health Insurance Information Program counselor, assisting people with Medicare.

Priorities: Proposing a token tax on commercial artificial intelligence usage to fund Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP. · Healthcare reform, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Kristina Knickerbocker is a U.S. Air Force Veteran, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, and a mother of two. Her life has been dedicated to serving her country and community, and she is running for Congress to address broken systems that she believes have failed Americans.

Priorities: Ensuring a high quality of life for veterans, service members, and military families. · Providing reliable access to quality, affordable healthcare and reforming the healthcare system. · Addressing the affordability crisis for families by lowering costs for essentials like housing, food, childcare, and eldercare.

Tony Pombo is a moderate Democrat running for U.S. Congress in Ohio's 10th Congressional District. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, he grew up in a working-class family and earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Wright State University. His career experience includes working as an IT contractor, running an electrical contracting business, and currently serving as a Systems Architect and Cybersecurity Officer.

Priorities: Lower the cost of living · Tackle healthcare costs · Create jobs for working families

Tom Herner is a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, District 37. A lifelong Ohioan and alumnus of Wright State University, he has over a decade of experience in banking, internal auditing, and entrepreneurship. Herner is dedicated to fighting public corruption, lowering the cost of living, fully funding public schools, and protecting reproductive healthcare.

Priorities: End public corruption in Ohio. · Combat the cost of living crisis. · Ensure access to strong public schools for all Ohioans.

Tom Young is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, currently serving his third term representing the 37th House District. He chairs the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee and serves on other committees. Young has deep roots in the Miami Valley Community, having been born in Dayton and raised in Miamisburg.

Priorities: Eliminate net capital gains tax · Increase protections for school crossing guards

Phil Crippen is a Democratic candidate for Ohio State Representative in the 37th District. He is running to ensure future generations have opportunities and is committed to protecting personal freedom and fostering economic growth. Crippen has lived in Centerville for most of his life and had a nearly 40-year career as a senior Human Resources executive.

Priorities: Address the cost of living crisis, including property tax reform and proper funding for public schools and Medicaid. · Protect voter-approved constitutional amendments, including reproductive rights and marijuana legalization, and oppose legislation that disrespects voter wishes. · End gerrymandering by establishing an independent commission to draw fair districts.

Rodney Creech is serving his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing District 40, which includes portions of northern Montgomery and Butler Counties and all of Preble County. A fourth-generation farmer and business owner, he previously served as a Twin Township Trustee and a Preble County Commissioner.

Priorities: eliminating the state income tax · ending diversity, equity and inclusion policies · establishing a state office to combat waste, fraud and abuse in government