His Democrat opponent, Aaron Kilbarger, D-Jamestown, served as a village council member in Jamestown for about a decade. Kilbarger works in the insurance industry at his family’s business.
Both candidates said economics will play a major role in the race, although they both cautioned that tough choices lay ahead for whomever wins the seat.
For most residents in the district, Kilbarger said the economy will be the dominant issue at the state and local level for the foreseeable future. He said one of his strengths is his honesty, and he said residents need to know there is no silver bullet to turning around the economy.
Hackett, who is finishing his first term, also said the economy will be the key issue in the state.
A former county commissioner, he said it will be important to make sure the state keeps local governments in mind when making decisions so they do not face the full effect of the economy alone. The state is likely to face an estimated $8 billion deficit in the next two-year state budget.
After his first term, Hackett said he was also surprised by the level of partisan politics at the state level. One of his strengths, he said, was that he said he is willing to work through those issues and focus instead on the problems the state will face.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.
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