New Ohio Senate District 22 candidate steps up

LAFAYETTE TWP. — A new Democratic candidate has joined the race for outgoing Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof's District 22 seat. Ryan Hunger, a 2005 Cloverleaf High School graduate, is stepping in to replace Steve Johnson of Ashland, who has withdrawn from the race due to health concerns. A 30-year resident of Lafayette Township, Hunger is a graduate of Columbus' Capital University and currently works as a receiving specialist for Survitec Group Ltd., which operates in Sharon Center and Medina. "First and foremost I would like to wish Steve Johnson well. He is a valued member of the Democratic Party in this area and will no doubt be needed in the future for his activism and passion," Hunger said. "As I enter this race, I want to bring a few critical issues to the forefront; in light of the (former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder) scandal I do not think there is any doubt that we need to get "dark money" out of our politics." Other initiatives outlined in a news release from Hunger include ensuring rural broadband internet access; protecting health care benefits; liability protection at the state level for small businesses, manufacturers, restaurants and bars; giving local school districts adequate support in dealing with COVID-19; and significant campaign finance reform. "Running for office takes a lot of time and energy and it's just something that I realized I cannot do right now," Johnson said. "I was really looking forward to running this race but am also happy that someone like (Hunger) has come on. It was probably around three weeks ago that I realized it just wasn't going to be possible for me right now." Hunger voiced support for recently introduced Columbus legislation that would provide more oversight in campaign financing, saying he would work toward banning 501(c)(4) groups from using "dark money" or contributions in statewide or state legislative elections unless the sources of those funds are identified. "I am joining this race to give the voters another choice for this important office," he said. "Otherwise, my opponent would have been unopposed. I will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the Ohio Senate." Reports did surface over the past week that Hunger's general election opponent, Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, was running unopposed. Romanchuk emerged victorious over a primary field that included Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi while Johnson ran unopposed on the Democratic side. Obhof, R-Montville Township, was appointed to the District 22 seat in early 2011 to fill the vacancy left by Bob Gibbs' departure to the U.S. House of Representatives. Obhof has since been reelected twice, earning roughly 66 percent of the vote in 2012 and 70 percent in 2016. No Democrat has held the seat since Anthony O. Calabrese's 23-year term ended in 1980. Senate District 22 now encompasses the counties of Medina, Ashland and Richland as well as a portion of Holmes County. It also covers Ohio House Districts 2, 69 and 70. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at 330-721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.