Write-in candidate drops out of Ohio House race
Scott Zimmerman, Democratic write-in candidate for the 80th District Ohio House of Representatives seat, notified the Miami County Board of Elections on Friday that he was withdrawing from the race.
A new candidate could be announced as early as this week, the Miami County Democratic Party chairman said.
The 80th District includes Miami and a portion of Darke County. It is represented now by Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, who is leaving the office to run for the 5th District seat in the Ohio Senate.
The Democratic candidate will run in November against Republican nominee Jena Powell, 24, of Arcanum, who is making her first bid for elected office. She received the party nomination in a four-candidate May primary with 45 percent of the vote in Miami County and 70 percent in Darke County.
Zimmerman, of rural Troy, filed earlier this year as a write-in for the race.
In a letter to the Miami County Board of Elections dated Friday, Zimmerman said he “with great regret” needed to rescind his candidacy.
“I will not be able to run a campaign for HD 80 at this time,” he wrote.
Russell Wheeler, Miami County Democratic Party chairman, said Friday afternoon he and the Darke County party chairperson have met and paperwork for another candidate to file as a write-in is being finalized. He chose not to disclose the potential candidate until the paperwork is complete and filed with the elections office.
“I think it would be prudent until the paperwork is done and submitted to the board of elections,” Wheeler said of not revealing the potential candidate’s name. The deadline for a name to fill a vacancy caused by withdrawal of a candidate is Aug. 13.
Wheeler said Zimmerman remains interested in seeking office but his work obligations at this time would not allow sufficient time for a campaign.
“He is interested but he wanted to free it up for someone who will run a campaign for the position,” he said.
Powell responded via email on Friday.
“November is just around the corner and I look forward to serving our community well,” Powell wrote.