SpringfieldNewsSun.com

WASHINGTON — Rep. David Hobson has made it clear he doesn't know what his next move will be after he retires from Congress at the end of 2008, but his spokeswoman says some Republicans in his district want him to run for the state Senate seat he held before he came to Congress — and he hasn't said no yet.

"He indicated to me he hasn't ruled anything out," said Hobson spokeswoman Sara Perkins.

Hobson, R-Springfield, announced his retirement plans last Sunday, and within a day, state Sen. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, announced that he would seek Hobson's open seat.

Austria has served the 10th district since 2000, but could not run for another term because of term limits. Hobson served in the state Senate from 1982 to 1990. The district includes Clark, Greene and Madison counties.

Former Greene County Commissioner W. Reed Madden and state Rep. Chris Widener of Springfield, are the Republican candidates seeking the open 10th district seat. Democrat Clark County Commissioner Roger Tackett is also seeking the seat.