Van Wert County Auditor Race Set for May Primary

VAN WERT — Republican voters in Van Wert County will choose between incumbent Jami Bradford and challenger Arica Wermer in the May 5 primary for county auditor.

The winner of the Republican primary is expected to be unopposed in the November general election.

Bradford is completing her first term as Van Wert County auditor. Before being elected, she worked in the auditor’s office for more than 30 years as a deputy auditor. She defeated then-incumbent Phillip Baxter in the May 2022 Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election that fall.

Wermer is making her first run for elected office. She currently serves as deputy auditor for the City of Van Wert and has held that position for nearly five years.

According to candidate background information, Wermer also has seven years of banking experience and previously worked under the City of Van Wert safety service director and mayor as executive secretary.

Both candidates point to government finance experience in their backgrounds.

Bradford’s experience is tied primarily to county government and the Van Wert County Auditor’s Office, where she spent more than three decades before becoming auditor.

Wermer’s background includes banking, city administration, and her current work in municipal auditing.

The race is one of several local contests on the May 5 primary ballot in Van Wert County. Early in person voting and absentee voting by mail are already underway.