Racing for the Statehouse

SANDUSKY — Legislative races have shaped up in several Ohio House and Senate districts in the Sandusky area. The person who currently represents Sandusky in Columbus, state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, will have to deal with a primary challenge and then, if he wins, will face a general election opponent. State senator, Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, has no primary opponent but faces a young Democrat in the general election. Here's a look at the local races: Ohio Senate District 2 The incumbent, state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, is seeking another four-year term. Ohio Senate District 2 includes all of Erie, Ottawa and Wood counties, the western half of Lucas County and small portions of Huron County. Gavarone does not have any opponents in the Republican primary. Her Democratic opponent in the general election is a University of Toledo student, Paloma De La Fuente, 18, who lives in Perrysburg. Ohio Senate District 13 Most of Huron County, except for a small portion in Ohio Senate District 2, falls in Ohio Senate District 13, represented by state Sen. Nathan Manning, who is in the middle of a four year term that doesn't expire until the end of 2026. So Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican, will continue to represent the district and won't be on the ballot next year. House District 89 The incumbent, state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, has filed for re-election. He'll be opposed in the Republican primary by former state Rep. Steve Kraus. Democrat Alisha W. Roshong, a Huron resident, will be on the ballot in the November general election, facing the winner of the GOP primary. The latest version of the district includes all of Erie County, almost all of Ottawa County and Lyme and Wakeman townships in Huron County, in the northeast and northwest corners. House District 54 State Rep. Dick Stein, who currently represents House District 54, is retiring because of term limits, so the voters are sure to elect a new state representative next year. House District 54 has almost all of Huron County (except for the northeast and northwest corners) and much of Lorain County. Two Republicans are running in the district: Kellie Deeter, a Norwalk resident, and Anthony Savage of Wellington. The Republican primary winner who emerges from the contest between the two will face Democrat Brenda Buchanan, of Columbia Station, in the general election. House District 88 House District 88, which includes Sandusky and Seneca counties, is represented by incumbent state Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, who has filed for re-election. He'll face Democrat Diane Selvey of Clyde in the general election.