Ahead of the February 4 filing deadline for partisan candidates, two local elected officials have entered the race for Van Wert County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge.

Van Wert City Law Director John Hatcher and Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger have filed petitions with the Van Wert County Board of Elections, and both petitions have already been certified as valid. Both candidates are running as Republicans, setting up a head to head matchup in the May 5 primary election. The winner will advance to the November 3 general election ballot.

Hatcher has served as Van Wert’s law director since 2012, and Yarger was first elected county prosecutor in 2017.

The position is open following the retirement of Judge Kevin Taylor. Governor Mike DeWine is expected to appoint someone to fill the remainder of the current term, which runs through February 8, 2027, though the timing of that appointment has not been announced.