Summit County Probate Judge Todd McKenney and Akron Councilman-elect Garry Moneypenny pulled off the biggest political surprises Wednesday at the election filing deadline.Not because they are running next year.But because they aren’t.McKenney, a Republican, was appointed probate judge last month and had resigned as a state representative to take the position. He was sworn in Monday. But he opted not to seek election next year, meaning he’ll hold the post for little more than a year.Political parties typically appoint individuals who plan to run for election.McKenney declined to respond to questions, and instead issued a news release saying he respected and admired Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty, a Republican who filed petitions for the probate job. Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, a Democrat, also filed for the position.“Rather than spend the next year campaigning in a difficult primary and general election, after prayer and reflection, it seems best to me to work at being the best probate judge I can be,” McKenney said in the prepared statement. “It is also my intention to launch several communitywide projects in the next few months to benefit the residents of Summit County and that could not happen if my only focus was on getting elected.”In the other surprise, Moneypenny opted at the last minute not to seek the Democratic nomination for county sheriff. He was considered the leading contender, even though he had never officially announced his candidacy.Sheriff Drew Alexander, a Republican and personal friend of Moneypenny, announced last week that he planned to finish his term and retire. At the time, he said he would endorse Moneypenny — a decision that irritated his fellow Republicans.Moneypenny had served four years as chief deputy under Alexander before resigning this year. He also is a former Springfield Township police chief and was elected to Akron City Council last month.He said he agonized over the decision, but in the end decided his heart wasn’t fully into running a campaign. He said he also felt an obligation to serve the voters who just elected him to Akron council.There will still be a race for sheriff — something that the county hasn’t seen since 2000, when Alexander defeated Democratic incumbent Richard Warren. Alexander ran unopposed in 2004 and 2008.Democrats Stephen Barry, a retired sheriff’s captain, and Frank Martucci Jr., a retired Akron police detective, are seeking the position.The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Randy Rivers, a former Cuyahoga Falls police officer who now heads the University of Akron Law Enforcement Training Center.In addition to probate judge and sheriff, the county executive, prosecutor, fiscal officer, engineer, clerk of courts, several common pleas judgeships and nine County Council positions are up for election in November 2012.County executiveCounty Executive Russ Pry, a Democrat, is seeking another four-year term. He will be challenged by Republican Frank Larson, the mayor of Munroe Falls.Pry was appointed to the position in 2007 and won election in 2008. Larson won a third term as mayor term in November.“I want to continue the work we’ve done over the past four years,” said Pry, an Akron resident. “I think we’ve made a positive impact on jobs here.”Larson said he has been encouraged by supporters to apply his success in Munroe Falls to the county as a whole.ProsecutorProsecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh will face a Democratic primary with Leonard Hazelett, a former assistant county prosecutor, as she seeks a fourth term. The winner will take on Republican Candace Kim-Knox, an Akron defense attorney.Fiscal officerFiscal Officer Kristen Scalise, who was appointed to the position this year by the Democratic Party, will face Republican Ronald Antal, a Boston Heights resident and owner of Research Credit Group Inc. He was elected as a write-in candidate in November to the Boston Heights Village Council.EngineerIncumbent Al Brubaker, a Democrat, will face Republican Bruce Robinson of Cuyahoga Falls. Brubaker is seeking a second term. Robinson owns B.L. Robinson Engineering & Surveying Co. Clerk of courtsClerk of Courts Dan Horrigan, a Democrat, will face Republican Kandi O’Connor, who served as judicial attorney for retired Common Pleas Judge Patricia A. Cosgrove. Horrigan is seeking a second term.Common PleasThere are four Common Pleas judge positions up for election.Democratic incumbent Paul Gallagher will face Democrat David Lombardi.Democratic incumbent Thomas Teodosio will face Republican Eddie Sipplen.Republican incumbent Tammy O’Brien will face Democrat Kathryn Michael.And Democrats Pat Hart and John Fickes, and Republican Amy Corrigall Jones are seeking a vacant Common Pleas seat. County CouncilCounty Council will see some politically juicy races, with two former councilmen seeking a return and a councilman’s son running.The race to complete the term of former Councilman Jon Poda features Akron Democrats Pete Crossland and Sandra Kurt and Republican Jane Davis, an attorney from Hudson.Crossland, a retired college professor, had served on the council for more than two decades before losing his at-large seat last year. He then tried unsuccessfully to be appointed by his fellow Democrats to the job, but the position was given to Kurt, an industrial engineer.All eight district seats are up.In District 1, Democratic incumbent Nick Kostandaras of Richfield will take on Greg Roemer of Richfield. Roemer is the son of current At-Large Councilman Bill Roemer, who ran unsuccessfully against Kostandaras in 2008.In District 2, Democratic incumbent John Schmidt of Cuyahoga Falls will face Republican Nancy DeLambo of Cuyahoga Falls.In District 3, Republican incumbent Gloria Rodgers of Stow will face Democrat Russell Iona of Cuyahoga Falls.In District 4, Democratic incumbent Frank Comunale of Akron will face a primary with Democrat Phillip Montgomery of Akron. The winner will take on Republican Gary Michael Hoover of Akron.In District 5, Democrat Tamela Lee, who was appointed to the seat this year to replace Cazzell Smith, will face Republican Lance Evan Reed of Copley Township.In District 6, incumbent Jerry Feeman of Tallmadge will be in a Democratic primary with former Councilman Daniel Congrove of Akron. Congrove had been on the council for nearly 20 years but was booted off the ballot in 2008 when he didn’t gather enough valid signatures on his campaign petitions. The winner will take on Republican Faith M. Bennetts of Akron.In District 7, incumbent Tim Crawford of Norton will be in a Democratic primary with Bryan Suboticki of Barberton. The winner will face Republican Larry Ashbaugh of New Franklin.In District 8, Democratic incumbent Paula Prentice of Green will face Republican Thomas Wolfe of Lakemore.Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.