Athens County, Ohio

Athens County Commissioner

2 candidates are tracked for Athens County Commissioner on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Autumn Brown and Sarah Danielle Smith. Candidate information follows official Athens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Democrat Autumn Brown (4,235 votes) and Republican Sarah Danielle Smith (1,918 votes) each won an unopposed May 5, 2026 primary (official results) and meet in November for the seat now held by Commissioner Lenny Eliason (term ends December 31, 2026), who is not seeking another term, per the Athens County Independent. Ohio counties elect one commissioner in gubernatorial years; the term begins January 1, 2027.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

Ohio › Athens County › Athens County Commissioner

Autumn Brown

Democratic

Top priorities

Fair wages, good benefits and safe working conditions, drawing on her labor-negotiation experience
Economic development through infrastructure improvements and community partnerships
Fiscal responsibility and transparent budgeting

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Autumn Brown has worked more than 28 years with the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities and currently directs its Integrate Athens program, per her campaign site. She also owns a small business focused on strategic planning and community development, per the same site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Sarah Danielle Smith

Republican

Top priorities

Represent rural and underserved parts of the county
Develop infrastructure that supports economic development projects
Make decisions on data centers and other projects on facts and proposals

Per per The Post.

Biography

Sarah Danielle Smith is a lifelong Athens County resident who runs a dairy farm and a beef cattle farm, per The Post. She is also a small business owner and human resources professional, per the Athens County Independent.

Next on your ballotAthens County Auditor

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Athens County Commissioner in 2026?

When is the Athens County Commissioner election in Ohio?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Ohio are on the Ohio election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Athens County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Athens County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Ohio election office, or see the full Athens County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Athens County ballot

6 tracked races in Athens County, Ohio. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, General Division (term begins February 9, 2027)Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027)Ohio House District 94 See all 6 Athens County races

Candidate profiles

Autumn Brown, full profile Sarah Danielle Smith, full profile Official Ohio election office