By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
Adams County voters cast ballots on Tuesday, November 4 in a wide range of local races, levies, and school board contests during the 2025 General Election, determining leadership across villages, townships, and districts for the coming terms. The following results are unofficial and will be certified by the Adams County Board of Elections once provisional and absentee ballots are counted.
Longtime election night worker Holly Johnson said the streamlined voting setup has made the process smoother for both voters and poll workers. “The decision to reduce polling places to just four high school locations has truly streamlined the election process, making it more efficient and user friendly for everyone involved,” Johnson said.
In the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District, voters selected Paula McIntosh, Trent Arey, and Ben Hilderbrand as first-time members of the school board. McIntosh said she was deeply grateful for the community’s confidence, “I just want to say thank you for using your voice, your vote, to show your confidence in me. I look forward to working with everyone and getting started on shaping the way for our students. I’m blessed to be part of such a community as this. Thank you for the overwhelming amount of support!” Hilderbrand added, “I am truly humbled by the community support and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe this is a time the community has spoken their voice—the voice given to us by our forefathers. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to build a better future for our students, staff and community. Once again, thank you for your trust and support.”
Manchester Local School Board voters elected Owen Applegate, Steve Henderson, and Troy Thatcher. In regional education, Linda Stepp earned strong support for the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center seat.
Village council results are as follows. In Manchester, voters elected Diana Brown, Zollie Gardner, Cody Lewis, and Jane Wilson to council, and Deborah Clinger to the Board of Public Affairs. Brown thanked residents for their support, “I am very happy with the citizens having faith in me by re-electing me. I hope to be able to continue our vision of a cleaner community, a police department who will help us enforce the ordinances, and bring our Village back to life. Progress is my vision.”
In Peebles, the candidates elected to council were Eugene McFarland, Dave Stephens, Baylee Wallace, and Shannon Wilkinson. Seaman council seats went to Lana Chandler, Christopher Rob Meade, David Melfert, and Michael Tolle. In West Union, voters elected Randy Brewer, Ryan Myers, Donna Young, and Chelsea Phelps to council. Winchester council members are Jason Jandes, Rick Roessler, Harry Speck, and Carma Tincher, with Nichole Lung elected to the Board of Public Affairs.
Township trustee results: Bratton Township elected James Hillger and David Scott; Brush Creek Township elected Dustin Hayslip and Randy Lewis; Franklin Township elected Joe Welage and Russell Hanson; Green Township elected John Easter and Wesley Taylor; Jefferson Township elected Danny Liston and Chris Cornell; Liberty Township elected Jason Baldwin and Randy Bartlett; Manchester Township elected Lonnie Bilyeu and Matthew Blythe; Meigs Township elected Kevin Cross and Larry Gardner; Monroe Township elected Robert Bentley and Shannon McCarty, and LeAnn Brown as fiscal officer; Oliver Township elected Quintin Baker and Charles Emert; Scott Township elected Homer Holsted and Sam Bolender; Sprigg Township elected Brennan Roush and David Abbott; Tiffin Township elected Richard Dryden and Greg Grooms; Wayne Township elected Steven Leonard and Scott Persch; Winchester Township elected Michael Swackhammer and Kirk Bunn.
Countywide, voters approved two major renewal levies—the Adams County Health Department levy and the Senior Citizens levy—ensuring continued support for health and senior programs. The Adams County Children Services levy narrowly failed. Local questions largely passed: Manchester, Seaman, and Winchester villages approved current expense measures, as did Bratton, Brush Creek, Franklin, Liberty, Manchester, Meigs, Oliver, Scott, Sprigg, Tiffin, and Wayne townships. Green Township’s fire levy and Oliver Township’s road levy were defeated.
Liquor options saw mixed outcomes: measures passed in Manchester Village and Peebles Village; Jefferson Township’s option failed; Meigs Township approved regular sales but rejected Sunday sales; and Seaman’s vote ended in a tie.
Across all levels, Adams County’s 2025 unofficial election results reflect steady civic participation, with newly elected and returning officials preparing to serve their communities once the canvass is complete and totals are certified.
