The May 5, 2026, primary in Ohio includes more than candidate races. It also features two firefighters seeking seats in the state legislature and a handful of local tax levies that will directly fund fire and EMS services.
Together, these two developments tell a larger story: public safety in Ohio is increasingly shaped through elections and voter-approved funding decisions.
Firefighters Running for State Legislature
Two candidates with backgrounds in firefighting are running for seats in the Ohio House of Representatives this primary season:
- Michael Kahoe for Ohio House District 31
- Eric Watson for Ohio House District 88
The presence of firefighters in legislative races carries practical significance for the fire and EMS community. First responders who have worked on the front lines bring direct experience with the staffing challenges, equipment demands, and funding constraints. If elected, that perspective may influence fire and EMS funding policy, workforce legislation, and public safety priorities.
Fire and EMS Levies on the Ballot
While some firefighters are running for office, voters are also deciding how to fund fire and EMS services locally.
Two communities will face levy decisions directly tied to the operational health of their emergency services:
Butler Township, Montgomery County
Butler Township is asking voters to approve a $2.5-mill levy to sustain its Fire and EMS operations. The township’s existing fire levy was last approved in 2003. Since then, revenue has remained the same.
To bridge the shortfall, the township has relied on general fund transfers supported by hotel and motel tax revenue and economic development funds. The proposed levy is not designed to expand services but to stabilize what already exists.
Huron Township and the City of Huron, Erie County
Fire and EMS funding will also be on the ballot for voters in Huron Township and the City of Huron. This measure focuses on supporting local fire protection and EMS operational capacity. This reflects a pattern common to many Ohio communities: periodic levy renewals, which need voter approval, are necessary to fund their departments.
The Bigger Picture: Local Funding Meets State Policy
What is happening in Ohio this May is part of a broader, well-documented pattern. Local fire and EMS departments across the state are structurally dependent on voter-approved levies for most of their operating revenue. Those levies, once set, do not keep pace with inflation. Over time, the gap between levy revenue and operational expenses widens until a new levy is needed.
State policy shapes how sustainable this system can be. It governs how townships and municipalities may structure their finances, which alternative revenue tools are available, and which standards apply to fire and EMS staffing.
The simultaneous presence of firefighter-candidate races and tax-levy campaigns in the May 2026 primary reflects the same underlying tension: fire and EMS services require stable, adequate funding.
At the same time, broader funding uncertainty, including federal government shutdowns, continues to affect how departments plan staffing and long-term investments.
Key Takeaways
So what does the May 2026 Ohio ballot teach us?
1. Firefighters Are Entering Policy Roles
Candidates with frontline experience are seeking direct influence over legislation that governs fire and EMS staffing, funding, and operations.
2. Levies Remain Critical for Fire and EMS Funding
Local departments in Ohio continue to rely heavily on voter-approved levies that do not automatically adjust for rising costs or service demands.
3. Stability Is the Primary Concern
The levies on this ballot are focused on maintaining existing services, not expanding them. Funding gaps are driven by structural revenue limitations, not increased scope.
Final Thoughts
Ohio’s May 2026 primary illustrates how fire and EMS services are shaped through two parallel tracks: the candidates voters send to the legislature and the funding measures voters approve at the local level. Firefighters running for office and communities deciding on levies represent two sides of the same challenge: sustaining emergency services amid rising demand and structurally limited funding.
The outcomes of these races and levy votes will influence both state policy and day-to-day operations for years to come. For the fire and EMS community, the May 2026 Ohio primary may directly determine which resources will be available to protect the public.
Those looking to support ongoing advocacy and funding efforts can learn more or contribute here.
