NOTE: Candidate backgrounds are below

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Ada ballots for the November 4 General Election include the opportunity to vote for four candidates running for four seats on the Village of Ada Council.

Council members Bob Simmons and Jeff Oestreich are not running for reelection, and their seats will open on January 1, 2026.

There are three candidates named on the November 4 ballot and a write-in space. Named candidates are Sean Beck (incumbent), Jason Campbell (incumbent) and Lucas Rowe. There is also a write-in space with one validated write-in candidate, Xander Wells. Voters may request a list of write-in candidates at the polls for reference.

CANDIDATE BACKGROUNDS

Sean Beck was born and raised in Toledo and graduated from Oregon Clay High School. He has attended OSU Lima and studied music at Ohio Northern. Beck works in the insurance industry and co-owns Studio 419. He first ran for council in 2018 and was elected in 2022. Beck says there are more things he’d like to do on Council, with communication with other local government entities a high priority. He notes that most voters have no party affiliation and urges them to “Go vote!”

Jason Campbell is from the Columbus area. He graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School and Capital University, where he played four years of baseball. Campbell came to Ada because his wife wanted to be closer to family. He owns and manages rental properties in Ada, which keeps him busy but allows time for serving on Council. Believing that “a high tide rises all ships,” Campbell sees elected office as an opportunity to make a strong Ada that is good for all.

Lucas Rowe was born and raised in Ada and lives next door to his childhood home. He and his wife have three children under the age of seven. Rowe says he has no single reason for running. He describes his interest as seeking to be “part of something you care about.” Rowe works at Honda in Russells Point and points out that his family chooses to live in Ada. He is focused on doing things correctly with “I’s dotted and T’s crossed.” His goal is to listen and make the best decisions, learning from those with experience.

Xander Wells is an Ada High School graduate and is currently in his third year at OSU Lima. He found that there were only three candidates on the ballot prior to the write-in candidate deadline and wanted to give voters a candidate who actively seeks to serve the community. He describes himself as a younger, more progressive voice. Wells likes the course the Village has set on staffing and infrastructure. He emphasizes the importance of keeping Ohio Northern and Ada Schools students involved in the community.

For more information on Ada ballots for the November 4 General Election, visit https://www.boe.ohio.gov/hardin/