Republican pastor takes vacant local state House seat

J. Todd Smith was sworn in as state representative of the 43rd Ohio House District Tuesday, filling a vacant seat and allowing him to run as an incumbent in the November election.

Smith defeated Kenny Henning in the Republican primary for the seat in May. Smith will run against Democratic Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley for the seat in November.

The district includes Trotwood, part of Dayton, Clayton, Brookville, New Lebanon and Harrison, Jackson and Perry townships. The district also includes all of Preble County.

Smith has been a pastor at The Church at Farmersville for 21 years, and his pastorate recently expanded to its sister church in West Chester.

“It is a great privilege to become a member of this honorable House,” said Smith.

“I am honored, excited, and eager to get to work for the great people of the 43rd House District and look forward to representing their needs and desires to the leadership in Columbus.”

He and his wife of 24 years, Jennifer, have four children.

Smith is replacing Repub- lican Jeff Rezabek, who left the state House to become a Montgomery County Juvenile Court judge.

The 43rd District is considered one of the most competitive in the state, with about an even split between registered Democrats and Republicans.