Lake County, Ohio

Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027)

2 candidates are tracked for Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John T. Plecnik and Tom Trombley. Candidate information follows official Lake County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Republican incumbent John T. Plecnik, who has held the seat since February 11, 2021, faces Democrat Tom Trombley for the four-year term beginning January 1, 2027, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.

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.

This race. Four-year term. The sitting officeholder, John T. Plecnik, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Lake County › Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027)

John T. Plecnik

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

Opposing property tax increases
Economic development and job creation in Lake County

Per the campaign site.

Biography

John T. Plecnik is an associate professor of law at Cleveland State University's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, per his campaign site. He was sworn in as Lake County's 79th commissioner on February 11, 2021 and is the incumbent seeking reelection, per the Lake County government website. He previously served as Willoughby Hills council vice president and finance chair, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Tom Trombley

Democratic

Top priorities

Calls for open meetings, accessible communication and listening to all sides
Supports full-time commitment to the office and clear visibility into county spending
Prioritizes strengthening schools, recreation and fair property tax policy to keep the county attractive to younger families

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Trombley holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a master's in industrial engineering from Wayne State University, and spent 34 years at Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Automation before retiring in 2017, per the campaign site. He has served eight years on the Painesville Township Schools Board and has lived in Lake County for 43 years, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotLake County Commissioner (unexpired term ending January 1, 2029)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027) in 2026?

When is the Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027) 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 Lake 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 Lake County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Lake County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Lake County Auditor Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Domestic Relations Division)Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Juvenile Division)See all 10 Lake County races

Candidate profiles

John T. Plecnik, full profile Tom Trombley, full profile Official Ohio election office