County

Magistrate, Franklin County

District 5

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A magistrate (justice of the peace) represents a magisterial district on the fiscal court, which adopts the county budget, sets tax rates and passes county ordinances.

Candidates Compare by issue

John Hibbard

Republican

Financial advisor

The gist

Supports a plan to increase housing at all levels
Supports reducing county government spending and waste
Supports backing law enforcement and first responders

More about John

View sources (1)

Supports a plan to increase housing at all levels
Hibbard launches campaign for 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Sep 23, 2025 · state-journal.com
“We need to develop a plan to be able to increase the amount of housing. This includes all levels of homes”
Supports reducing county government spending and waste
Hibbard launches campaign for 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Sep 23, 2025 · state-journal.com
“He also wants the county to maintain a sustainable budget by reducing government spending and waste.”
Supports backing law enforcement and first responders
Hibbard launches campaign for 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Sep 23, 2025 · state-journal.com
“We need to ensure public safety by supporting our law enforcement and first responders”

Richard Tanner

DemocraticIncumbent

Franklin County 5th District magistrate

The gist

Supports securing funds for the Farmdale sewer project
Supports the new downtown affordable housing initiatives
Supports building a new indoor aquatic center

More about Richard

View sources (1)

Supports securing funds for the Farmdale sewer project
Tanner seeking re-election as 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Oct 8, 2025 · state-journal.com
“His top priority moving forward is securing the remaining funding for the Farmdale Sewer revitalization project.”
Supports the new downtown affordable housing initiatives
Tanner seeking re-election as 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Oct 8, 2025 · state-journal.com
“He also supports the new affordable housing initiatives, such as the downtown development currently in the early stages”
Supports building a new indoor aquatic center
Tanner seeking re-election as 5th District magistrate
News coverage · The State Journal · Oct 8, 2025 · state-journal.com
“We have taken the first step for a new indoor aquatic center”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.