County
Licking County Commissioner
Full term commencing 1/1/2027
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 4 years
- Candidates
- 2
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A county commissioner is one of three officials who run county government, set its budget and approve its contracts.
The seat's current commissioner, Richard E. Black (term expiring 12/31/2026), is not on the ballot. Brian Belcher is a certified write-in candidate for this seat.
Taxes & budget
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
No documented position found.
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Voted to reduce Harrison Township's inside tax millage
Public safety
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
No documented position found.
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Pledges resources for fire, EMS and law enforcement
Housing
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
- Pledges to address rising costs, homelessness and housing
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
- Supports data centers paying for power grid costs
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Supports managing growth so costs don't fall on residents
Roads & infrastructure
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
- Proposes making data centers pay for road damage
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Pledges to seek state funding for roads, public safety
Environment & parks
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
- Proposes independent EPA study of data centers' long-term damage
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Pledges to protect farmland from unchecked development
Government & transparency
Kathy McLeishDemocratic
- Proposes rules for data centers that refuse community benefits
- Supports resident input through the Licking County Forward plan
Mark A. Van BurenRepublican
- Supports local communities deciding their own development
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; 7 issues covered in this race.