Kraus seeks comeback

SANDUSKY — A former state representative forced out of office in 2015 after being convicted in a theft case wants to win back the office. Kraus Steve Kraus, 65, defeated former state representative Chris Redfern in an upset in the 2014 general election. But his term in office was upended after then-Ottawa County prosecutor Mark Mulligan filed a theft charge against him in October that year. Kraus maintained he did nothing wrong, alleging that Mulligan and Redfern were political cronies, calling the criminal case against him an "October surprise." The alleged theft occurred months before Mulligan brought the charge against Kraus. "The rumor is true," Kraus told the Register when contacted Wednesday morning, confirming he filed a candidate's petition with the Erie County elections board. Kraus reasserted his innocence and said he wants to get back to Columbus to serve the people of the 89th District like he intended to do nearly a decade ago before. "Trump's running to regain his seat that he believes was stolen from him in 2020. I'm running to regain my seat that I believe was unconstitutionally taken from me in 2015," he said. His 2015 conviction has been expunged, Kraus said, which enables him to be a candidate. Kraus said his primary opponent, state Rep. DJ Swearingen, R-Huron, should step aside. Swearingen was censured by the state Republican Party after voting with Democrats for a new speaker earlier this year. Swearingen scoffed when asked about Kraus. "People are tired of corrupt politicians who make it all about themselves, their egos and neglect the people they serve," Swearingen said. "Steve is running because he thinks the seat is owed to him after he was removed for his felony conviction. The seat belongs to the people of the 89th District, not any one person." Swearingen was appointed and later elected to the seat formerly held by Kraus after Swearigen's immediate predecessor, former Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, retired in 2019. Swearingen said he is running for re-election "to make our community a better place to live and work and raise a family." Kraus said he met with Swearingen last week and told him of his plan to seek the seat, which is among the gerrymandered districts Republicans approved beginning in 2022 to give the party electoral advantages over Democrats. "I'm not running against him," Kraus said. "He's running against me." The elections board meets Dec. 29 to certify the March primary ballot. The winner of the Republican primary would face Democratic challenger Alisha Roshong, of Huron, in next November's general election. Get Thursday's Register at a newsstand near you to read all about the candidates and issue voters will decide in the March primary.