Area politicos brace for primary battles

U.S. Rep. Austria, state Rep. McGregor face challenges from their own party in May vote.

Local Focus: Clark County for Feb. 7
New 12 min. ago
Drop boxes encourage disposal of prescription drugs
New 16 min. ago
City razes downtown building for $9 million parking garage
New 18 min. ago
Plan would change county government
New 21 min. ago
2011 a good year for New Carlisle
10:55 p.m.
> More headlines

By Bridgette Outten and Matt Sanctis, Staff Writers 8:05 PM Saturday, February 20, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — The May 4 primary in Clark County will bring some interesting races to watch as three Democrats and two Republicans vie to be on the general election ballot while a local 18-year-old faces a seasoned incumbent.

The primary for Ohio’s 7th district congressional race isn’t as packed as it was when former U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson retired in 2008, but it’s close.

In the Democratic primary, Bill Conner of Beavercreek is running again; the retired U.S. Air Force major and engineer lost in the primary in 2008.

Conner is up against Fairborn’s Olivia Freeman, a U.S. Army veteran and self-proclaimed marketing guru; and James John Barton, president of a corporate research services company.

For Republicans the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, is being challenged by John Mitchel, an Air Force retiree from Beavercreek.

State Rep. Ross McGregor, R-Springfield, is running for re-election, but he’s being opposed in the primary by Tecumseh High School student Ethan Reynolds, 18.

On the Democrats’ side, Richard Spangler is trying again after losing to McGregor in 2008.

To make it on the ballot in November, Spangler has to face Greg Krouse, president of the Springfield Education Association, the union that represents city school teachers.

The race for 78th District state representative will include John Adams, a Republican from Sidney who has served two terms, and Anthony Ehresmann, a Democrat from Urbana. Adams serves as the minority whip of the Ohio House of Representatives. Ehresmann, who recently lost a bid to become a member of the Urbana City Council, said he has been considering running for the state job for some time.

The 78th District seat represents Shelby and Champaign counties, as well as part of Auglaize County.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, the Republican incumbent, is running unopposed in the primary for the 4th Congressional District seat. Doug Litt, a Democrat from Mansfield. Donald C. Kissick, a Libertarian candidate from Lima, also filed to run for that seat.

Other races that don’t yet have opposed primaries include the Clark County auditor’s race. Incumbent auditor George Sodders, a Democrat, will face Republican John Federer, a retired banker, in November.

County Commissioner Roger Tackett, a Democrat, has some competition from Republican Rick Lohnes, former commander of the Springfield Air National Guard Base, for the general election; neither candidate is contested in the primary.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

Share this article