As the all-important filing deadline is upcoming, the race to replace Brad Wenstrup in Congress is taking shape.
So far, multiple candidates have announced for the honor of representing the Second District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Niraj Antani
Antani is a current State Senator and former State Representative from the Miami Valley region, outside of the Second District. He is the first Indian American to serve in the Ohio Senate and has consistently advanced conservative legislation.
Kim Georgeton
Georgeton ran unsuccessfully for State Representative last year. The Chapter Chair for Moms For Liberty, Georgeton is the only female who has announced her race for Congress. Georgeton lives in Hamilton County, outside of the Second District.
Note: For Congress, you do not have to be a resident of the district, only the same state.
Derek Myers
Myers is the former editor-in-chief of the Scioto Valley Guardian and was also former spokesman for the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. He lives in Ross County.
Tim O’Hara
O’Hara was running for Brown County Commissioner before Wenstrup announced his retirement for Congress. The owner of LaRosa’s Pizza and Dunkin’ and a marijuana dispensary, O’Hara also served in the US Marine Corps.
Charles Tassell
Tassell is the current Chairman of the Clermont County Republican Party. He has served as a lobbyist and a former City Council member for Deer Park in Hamilton County.
David Taylor
Taylor is a member of the Clermont County Central Committee and also owns Sardinia Ready Mix in Brown County. He also served as an assistant prosecuting attorney.
Shane Wilkin
Wilkin is a former State Representative and Highland County Commissioner who currently serves in the Ohio Senate. His wife, Judge Kristy Wilkin sits on the Court of Appeals, 12th District.
Larry Kidd
Kidd is a well-known businessman and GOP leader in Jackson County. A former Trump delegate, Kidd has also served on the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board and has been active with JobsOhio.
Last week, retired Judge and former State Representative Danny Bubp decided not to run for the seat. Bubp told supporters that he would enjoy serving in Congress, but the only title he wanted was “Papaw Danny.”
A win in the Republican primary almost assures victory in the general election. After redistricting last year, the Second District of Ohio is one of the most Republican districts in the United States. So far, one Democrat has announced, Joe Wessels, a former reporter with the Cincinnati Enquirer and current public relations executive.
