OH-05 Update: Latta Running to Keep the Seat

This just in...

Bowling Green -- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has announced his candidacy for re-election for Ohio's Fifth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Latta was elected to Congress on Dec. 11, 2007 in a special general election to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Representative Paul Gillmor, and Latta was sworn into office on Dec. 13.

"I have been truly blessed and honored by the people of the Fifth Congressional District to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is a responsibility and a trust that I take very seriously and I will work to represent them to the utmost of my ability," Latta said. "There are many serious problems facing our nation today and I look forward to being part of the solution to these issues."

Prior to being elected to Congress, Latta served for 11 years in the Ohio Legislature, and before that, for six years as a Wood County Commissioner.

"I want to continue to work for the citizens of this region and make this the best place in Ohio to live, work, and raise a family," Latta added. "I was taught that to be a good public servant, you must see how much you can give of yourself to the people you represent."

An award-winning leader, Latta has been named the "Distinguished Legislator of the Year" by the Ohio Economic Development Association, "Legislator of the Year" by the Ohio Farmer's Union, "Watchdog of the Treasury" (three times), was honored by the Ohio National Guard with the Major General Charles Dix Award for Legislative Excellence and received the "Patriot Award" from the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, among many other recognitions.

A life-long resident of northwest Ohio, Latta graduated from Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo College of Law.

Bob and his wife, the former Marcia Sloan of Williams County, have been married for 21 years. They reside in Bowling Green with their daughters Elizabeth, 16, and Maria, 14.