Vermilion, Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court has denied a petition filed by the City of Vermilion Campaign Committee for Jean A. Anderson, blocking an effort to place Beth Deck on the November 4, 2025, general-election ballot as a replacement candidate for mayor. The decision, issued September 10, 2025, in State ex rel. City of Vermilion Campaign Committee for Jean A. Anderson v. Lorain County Board of Elections (Case No. 2025-1079), centered on a single, critical issue: compliance with Ohio election law.
The Court found that Anderson’s original February 2025 petition for mayor did not designate a committee of five authorized to fill a vacancy if she withdrew. Under R.C. 3513.31(F), a properly designated committee must be listed when the original petition is filed. The statute does not allow naming a committee after the fact. “Because Anderson’s nominating petition filed in February 2025 did not designate a committee… the process set forth in R.C. 3513.31(F) could not occur,” the Court wrote in its opinion.
Anderson formally withdrew her candidacy on August 7, 2025. That same day, her attorney, Gerald W. Phillips, submitted paperwork attempting to name a committee retroactively and certify Deck as Anderson’s replacement. The Lorain County Board of Elections rejected the filing, and the Ohio Supreme Court upheld that decision.
This ruling ends Beth Deck’s attempt to appear on the November ballot and leaves voters with the remaining certified candidates for Vermilion mayor. The decision also reinforces the importance of meeting all technical requirements when filing petitions for municipal office.
The opinion identifies Phillips & Co., L.P.A., and attorney Gerald W. Phillips as counsel for Anderson’s campaign. Phillips has represented clients in several high-profile election disputes in Lorain County. In multiple recent Ohio Supreme Court cases, including this one, the Court denied relief to his clients.
Gerald W. Phillips – Recent Election Litigation
2025 – Anderson/Deck Case
Case: State ex rel. City of Vermilion Campaign Committee for Jean A. Anderson v. Lorain County Board of Elections
Case No.: 2025-1079
Court: Ohio Supreme Court
Outcome: Writ Denied (Sept. 10, 2025)
Summary: Anderson’s petition lacked a designated committee of five, preventing Beth Deck from replacing her on the ballot.
Phillips’ Role: Counsel for Anderson’s campaign.
2024 – Brill / Concerned Vermilion Citizens
Case: State ex rel. Brill et al. v. Lorain County Board of Elections
Case No.: 2024-1313
Court: Ohio Supreme Court
Outcome: Writ Denied (Dec. 18, 2024)
Summary: Petitioners sought to overturn a Board of Elections decision regarding a local charter amendment. The Court ruled filings did not comply with state law.
Phillips’ Role: Counsel for petitioners.
2023 – Vermilion Charter Amendment Petition
Source: Lorain County Board of Elections filings
Outcome: Petition rejected, approximately 900 signatures invalidated due to incomplete filings.
Phillips’ Role: Represented petitioners.
2023 – Avon Lake Mayor Removal Suit
Court: Lorain County Probate Court
Outcome: Lawsuit seeking removal of Avon Lake’s mayor dismissed.
Phillips’ Role: Represented plaintiff.
Ongoing – Avon Lake Transparency Case
Court: Ohio Supreme Court
Summary: Phillips filed a case involving transparency and public-records access for an Avon Lake committee.
Status: Pending.
With Beth Deck now removed from consideration, the November ballot will reflect only the candidates who qualified and were certified prior to Anderson’s withdrawal. This decision effectively finalizes the field and places greater focus on the remaining names as voters prepare to choose Vermilion’s next mayor.
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