Longtime Urbana Congressman to face primary challenger

One of two Republican Congressmen representing the Springfield region faces a primary challenger in May, and Democrats are running in both races.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, who has carved out a major national profile as a leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus in Congress, faces a challenge in the 4th U.S. House District from Republican Joseph Miller of Marion in the May 8 primary, according to petitions filed by Wednesday’s deadline at the Lorain County Board of Elections.

RELATED: Jim Jordan says John Boehner is ‘angry,’ ‘bitter’

Four Democrats also filed to run in the sprawling 4th District: Norbert G. Dennerll Jr. of Elyria, Janet Garrett of Oberlin, Leah Sellers of Marysville and Cody James Slatzer-Rose of New Albany.

The district includes all of Champaign, Shelby, Union, Logan, Auglaize, Allen, Crawford, Seneca and Sandusky counties and parts of Mercer, Marion, Huron, Erie and Lorain counties.

Jordan is one of the three Republicans who make up southwest Ohio’s five member U.S. Congressional delegation who face primary battles. Democrats are fielding candidates in all five districts.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, filed for re-election to his 8th District seat that represents Clark County and faces no opposition in the primary. Davidson replaced former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, who retired in 2015.

RELATED: Fixing ‘broken things:’ Davidson talks about 18 months in Congress

Democrats who filed for the 8th District include Bill Ebben and Vanessa Enoch, both of West Chester Twp.; Ted Jones of Piqua; and Matthew J. Guyette and Stephen D. Shaw, both of Greenville.

The 8th District includes all of Clark, Butler, Preble, Darke and Miami counties and the southern half of Mercer County.

The election comes in a mid-term year of deep political polarization. Democrats aim to gain enough seats to win the majority after being the minority party since Republicans’ mid-term sweep of November 2010.

The candidates will only appear on the May 8 ballot if the boards certify that they each have at least 50 valid signatures from registered voters on their petitions. That process will be complete by Feb. 19.

RELATED: Congressional races take shape as Democrats push to retake House

10th District

Two Republicans, John Anderson of Enon and John Mitchel of Beavercreek, are challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, in the 10th District. Both Mitchel and Anderson have run for Congress repeatedly and unsuccessfully, with Mitchel also running as an Independent and Anderson a Libertarian in the past.

RELATED: Turner faces familiar foe in May primary

Democrats filing in that race include: Theresa Gasper of Beavercreek; Robert Klepinger of Dayton, who was beaten twice by Turner in previous general elections; and Michael Milisits of Huber Heights.

RELATED: Local Democratic candidate for Congress says Bernie Sanders inspired him

RELATED: Democrat Theresa Gasper launches run against Congressman Turner

The district includes all of Montgomery and Greene counties and the northern half of Fayette County.

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