UPDATED: Swearingen dropping out of race

SANDUSKY — The incumbent Republican state representative representing the greater Sandusky area is withdrawing his candidacy for this November's election. State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, of Huron, submitted a letter to the Erie County Board of Elections stating that he wouldn't be seeking re-election. The board disseminated that letter to local officials and reporters shortly after noon Tuesday. Swearingen told the Register he was being considered for a "new role" but did not clarify what job he was pursuing. He's not resigning from the legislature today, but he wanted to take his name out of the upcoming election now. "I didn't think it was right to be pursuing two different things at once," Swearingen said. "I really don't like it when politicians do that." It wasn't immediately clear if Swearingen would finish the entire remainder of his term, which runs through Dec. 31. Swearingen's 89th House District represents all of Erie County, most of Ottawa County and small parts of Huron County. Swearingen was set to run against Democrat Easton Retzke in this November's election. There was no immediate word on who would run on the Republican ticket. Erie County elections board deputy director Adrienne James said that the deadline is soon for a replacement to be named. "Political party nominating committees have until Monday, Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. to certify the name of a replacement candidate to fill the vacancy (86 days before the Nov. 3 General Election)," James said. "We will inform people of the replacement candidate when we have that information." The party chairs and secretaries in each county will have to nominate the new Republican candidate by that deadline. Erie County Republican Party chairman Caleb Stidham said more information should be announced later this week. According to Erie County commissioner Matt Old, Stidham and Ottawa County auditor Jennifer Widmer are two potential nominees who are being considered. Swearingen first took office in 2019 after the retirement of former Republican state Rep. Steve Arndt of Port Clinton and first secured election in 2020. If he had stayed in the race and secured re-election for a third time, he would have been term-limited from running again at the end of 2028. Swearingen's statement Swearingen sent this statement to the newspaper regarding his decision to step down. It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life to serve the people of Ohio's 89th House District these past seven years. With that being said, I will not be seeking re-election as state representative for Ohio House District 89 for the November 2026 election. Further details regarding my next steps will be shared in the weeks ahead. I am in the process of being considered for a new role in serving the people of Ohio and our country. I didn't think that it would be fair to pursue that role while simultaneously asking the great people of the 89th District for their votes to serve another term in the next general assembly starting in 2027. They deserve to have a voice in voting for a Republican nominee who will serve them for the full two-year term. I remain committed to assisting with a smooth transition to fill this position for the Republican party on the ballot and give the voters of this district a strong voice fighting for them in Columbus. I will continue serving in the current general assembly. * Editor's note: Andy Ouriel contributed to this story.