GOP state rep. primary winner may go unopposed on fall ballot
Two Republicans running so far as filing deadline nears.
The election for the next representative for the 42nd District of the Ohio House so far includes two Republicans with the filing deadline nearing for independent candidates.
Jacob Stubbs and Tom Young will face off in the GOP primary March 17 in a bid to become the next state representative for Washington Township, Miamisburg, Miami Twp., West Carrollton, Moraine, German Twp., Germantown, and parts of Centerville, Kettering and Springboro.
No independent candidate has filed petitions to seek to be on the fall ballot to succeed Niraj Antani, the Montgomery County Board of Elections said Thursday.
Antani is seeking to replace Peggy Lehner, who has served the maximum two terms as the senator for Ohio’s 6th District.
Should no independent file qualifying petitions by March 16, either Stubbs or Young would win the election to the two-year position which pays $60,584 a year.
Stubbs is a two-term German Twp. trustee and a special education teacher at Valley View Junior High School, where he also coaches.
Stubbs won re-election in 2017 after receiving 77 percent of the votes, elections records show. He calls himself a conservative “who is proudly not endorsed by a political party.”
“Starting out at the local level I have learned firsthand that townships are the most efficient form of government in Ohio, that model is needed at the next level,” Stubbs said.
Reducing spending, protecting life, defending the 2nd Amendment and promoting conservatism are among the issues Stubbs lists as priorities.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
Young is a longtime Washington Twp. resident and a wealth management executive. He has been a prominent Montgomery County Republican Party member, but has never held elected office.
He was a contender for the 42nd District seat after the 2014 death of state Rep. Terry Blair before the county GOP chose Antani. Young served on the county Board of Elections board before resigning last year to run for this seat.
He touts himself as someone who can “provide the strong conservative leadership” and has campaigned on keeping taxes down.
“My commitment to my fellow citizens is that I will work tirelessly to be an effective voice and advocate for their interests in the legislature,” according to Young.
He has been endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party, Ohio Right to Life and Ohio Buckeye Firearms, as well as Antani, state Rep. Phil Plummer, and county Sheriff Rob Streck, among other local officials.
Young is graduate of Miami University.
Stubbs and Young responded to a series of questions submitted by the Dayton Daily News. They include:
■ What is your position on proposed changes to background checks or other procedures for the ability for Ohioans to obtain firearms?
STUBBS: Red flag laws are a danger to the 2nd Amendment, potentially giving the government a weapon to unjustly go after American citizens. This could be used as a tool to go after political opponents.
YOUNG: FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is designed to identify & prohibit retail transfers of firearms. It’s only as effective as the data that is entered.
Efforts to strengthen NICS ought to involve improving reporting of firearm transfer prohibitions related to criminal matters, mental health adjudications, etc.
■ Explain why you would favor or oppose expanding Ohio’s legalization of medical marijuana to include recreational use.
STUBBS: I oppose expanding Ohio’s legalization of medical marijuana to include recreational use. Marijuana is a gateway drug that could lead to the use of harder drugs and opioid abuse.
YOUNG: I would oppose expansion of recreational use of marijuana, but support its use if prescribed by physician for a patient
■ Last year the Ohio legislature approved – and Gov. Mike DeWine signed – a gasoline tax increase to help fund road and bridge repairs. What tax hikes and cuts do you support and why?
STUBBS: I do not approve of any tax increase, in fact, we need to look into ways to reduce spending. I would like to see a 3% reduction in state spending and a 10% salary reduction for elected officials.
YOUNG: Government has grown too large. There is plenty of money, It is the path chosen to spend it is the problem. We have to find a better way than taxing people out of their homes and communities.
■ Ohio is considering legalizing sports betting. Explain why you would favor or oppose this issue.
STUBBS: Neighboring states have already passed Sports Betting laws and Ohio is likely right behind. We need to make sure the proper precautions are taken to make this works for Ohio.
YOUNG: I oppose sports betting.
■What makes you more qualified than your opponent to hold this office?
STUBBS: Being elected at the local level for the last six years has allowed me to see first hand the challenges we face in this district. State spending, infrastructure, and preserving and protecting our God given rights are important to all of us. I look forward to serving the 42nd district with that in mind.
YOUNG: My years of experience and Leadership in the private sector, public sector and education from early learning to higher education has prepared me to understand complex problems and create bold solutions. I want to build a better future for my children.