Butler County Update: Democrats Are Coming!

The Middletown Journal reports that five Democrats have filed to run for countywide offices, including candidates for both state House seats.

Butler County has three Ohio House seats up for grabs, but Democrats have only two candidates so far. They are Ken Keith, gunning for Rep. Courtney Combs after a formidable but unsuccessful run in 2006; and newcomer Anthony Klimek, who will challenge Rep. Bill Coley in November.

Both Democrats said public education funding is one of their top priorities.

Maybe these two candidates would do better sending a letter to Governor Strickland who promised to do something about education funding when he campaigned but doesn't have a word to say on the subject now that he is in office...

Democrats do not have a candidate yet for the 53rd House District.

State Senate:

Kathryn Bridgeman, a retired businesswoman from West Chester Twp., filed to challenge state Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester, for his seat — and Victor Rivera of Fairfield is expected to file before the 4 p.m. deadline today.

Butler County Democratic Party leaders say they'll meet next week to discuss endorsements of either Bridgeman or Rivera.

Cates is pretty well liked in Butler county, so I am not anticipating any real trouble here with either candidate.

12th District Court of Appeals:

Two Democrats also filed Thursday for the two open seats on the 12th District Court of Appeals. They are Fairfield attorney Bruce Carter and Wilmington attorney Laura Curliss. Neither seat holds an incumbent, but both have Republican challengers.

I should point out that a Democrat hasn't won a county-wide election in quite some time...but you never know. That's what makes elections exciting!