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Voters in May primary will have a choice on several candidates, issues

Austria faces a Republican challenge as he seeks a second term in Congress; 3 Democrats battle to run in November.

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By Bridgette Outten and Matt Sanctis, Staff Writers 8:04 PM Saturday, February 20, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Thursday’s filing deadline for the May 4 primary showed that voters in Clark and Champaign counties should expect a few fireworks in May, with most of the local competitive battles holding off until the general election in November.

7th Congressional District

In 2008, six Democrats and four Republicans swarmed the primary election after former U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson retired.

U.S. Rep. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, a former state senator who was endorsed by Hobson, won out in the end, defeating Democrat Sharen Neuhardt, a Beavercreek attorney.

This election year, two Republicans and three Democrats will appear on primary ballots.

The district covers Clark, Greene, Fairfield, Fayette, Perry and Pickaway counties and parts of Ross and Franklin counties.

Republicans

Republicans have won the Ohio 7th District seat in all but one term since 1915.

Austria, 51, is running again, declaring that he is “frustrated” with the national policies that he says are driving the country in the wrong direction.

“We need to get more members in Congress who will listen to their constituents, the American people,” Austria stated in his re-election press release, “to lower taxes, cut wasteful Washington spending and reduce the burdensome regulations that stifle small business growth and stop the explosive debt being placed on our children and grandchildren.”

Austria’s focus will be on relief of small businesses and families in the district, he said, and targeting what he calls wasteful spending in Washington.

A state senator for 10 years before his run for Congress, Austria has also been a small-business owner.

He is being challenged in the May 4 primary by John Mitchel, 62, a retired U.S. Air Force instructor pilot and acquisition officer.

A resident of Beavercreek, Mitchel lists his occupation as a systems analyst for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and a small business owner.

Mitchel ran in the Republican primary in 2008 and has also run for governor.

With the philosophies of “do the right thing,” “do the best you can,” and “treat others how you want to be treated,” Mitchel wants to address a range of issues, including tax reform, energy and infrastructure and national defense, he said.

Democrats

Three Democrats have filed to run for this seat.

Bill Conner, 66, was the Democratic nominee in 2006, losing to Hobson. In 2008, he lost in the primary.

An engineer and retired United States Air Force major, Conner states on his campaign Web site that he is not a politician.

“I am a citizen intent on solving our critical national problems,” his message continued.

Conner said progress has been made toward stabilizing the economy, but “massive problems created by the Bush administration remain.”

Among his critical issues, Conner lists health care reform legislation, bank regulation and budget deficit reduction.

Olivia Freeman, 54, is a newcomer to politics. A U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam and the Persian Gulf era and a marketing professional, Freeman also touts experience as a mother as part of her campaign.

“I am a mom who pumps her own gas, buys her own groceries and walks the district listening to the people,” Freeman said. “I keep things simple.”

Freeman wants to focus on jobs — getting more business in the district — as well as the economy and environmental stewardship.

Her campaign Web site details plans for “Channel Z,” a grass-roots newsletter Freeman wants to offer to the district’s constituents.

James John Barton, 62, of Pickerington is listed as president of Corporate Research Services, Inc. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Ohio 72nd House District

Incumbent Ross McGregor, 44, is seeking another term in office. He was appointed to the seat in 2005 and was elected in 2006.

The 72nd district covers parts of Clark County, including Springfield, New Carlisle, Enon, Donnelsville, Medway, Mad River, Bethel and Springfield townships.

McGregor has been labeled a moderate Republican because of his sponsorship of House Bill 176, which protects gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgenderder people from discrimination.

“Sure, there was backlash from the ultra-conservatives, but I stood by my convictions and did what I thought was right,” McGregor told the News-Sun in a recent interview.

McGregor is an executive at Pentaflex Inc, his family’s business. He serves on several committees including the House Finance and Appropriations Committee and the Transportation and Justice subcommittee.

Ethan Reynolds, 18, said McGregor’s sponsorship of HB 176 is what prompted him to run.

Touting himself as a “true conservative” on his Twitter page, the Tecumseh High School student said McGregor is too liberal.

For Democrats, this election will be the fourth time that Richard Spangler, 55, has run for the 72nd House seat.

“I am running for office because I believe we need to have a sense of responsibility to all of the people in our community,” Spangler states on his campaign Web site.

Spangler is focused on the areas of economic development, education and health.

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