Candidates trade insults

SANDUSKY — Former 89th House District state Rep. Steve Kraus said his opponent in the March Republican primary is behind a challenge to his candidacy. On Thursday, Kraus learned that the challenge the county elections board denied on Jan. 5 has been appealed to the state Supreme Court. His opponent, incumbent state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, "is running scared," Kraus said after learning about the appeal. "This is the good old boys' network flexing its muscle." In December, Swearingen took a similar swipe at Kraus after the original challenge was filed, telling the Register that "people are tired of corrupt politicians who make it all about themselves, their egos and neglect the people they serve." Kraus served as the 89th House District representative for about six months in 2015 until he was removed from office after being convicted on a theft charge in Ottawa County court. Kraus has denied all wrongdoing and called the charge the result of political cronyism between his Democratic opponent in 2014 and the county prosecutor, at that time, who was also a Democrat. Groton Township trustee Dennis Schreiner brought the challenge to Kraus' candidacy to the elections board, and he filed the appeal with the state Supreme Court. But Kraus said he's convinced that Swearingen is behind the effort. Schreiner contends Kraus' felony conviction makes him ineligible to serve in the legislature, or hold any public office. Kraus said the conviction was expunged from his record and he is qualified to be a candidate. The 89th House District includes all of Erie County, almost all of Ottawa County and Lyme and Wakeman townships in Huron County.