Jay Conrad voted for Larry Householder just two years ago.<\/p>\n
Now, Conrad wants to replace him.<\/p>\n
I was angry, he said about Householders recent arrest for alleged involvement in a bribery scheme. I was frustrated. Super disappointed. I voted for Larry personally in 2018. To me, it was almost like a slap in the face.<\/p>\n
Robert Leist too wants to represent the district, saying voters deserve an alternative choice from the incumbent.<\/p>\n
Conrad and Leist have both filed as write-in candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives 72nd District, which includes Perry, Licking and Coshocton counties east of Columbus.<\/p>\n
It will take an unusual set of circumstances for either to have a shot at the seat this November, but it is possible.<\/p>\n
Despite his arrest, Householder remains on track to be elected to his third-consecutive term. He was unopposed in the Republican primary this spring and no Democrat filed to run against him in November.<\/p>\n
The FBI investigation has complicated things. Householder was voted out of the speakers chair in a unanimous vote Thursday morning, but he remains in office as a state representative. House members could separately vote to expel him from the legislative chamber, but the Republican majority chose not to Thursday and do not appear willing to do so.<\/p>\n
Even if they did expel Householder, that would not necessarily impact his status as the unopposed candidate on the 2020 ballot.<\/p>\n
Householder would have to choose to withdraw himself from electoral contention.<\/p>\n
The first date to watch is Aug. 10. That is the last day a political party can choose a replacement candidate to fill a vacancy from withdrawal or disqualification of the partys primary winner.<\/p>\n
If Householder withdraws from the race before Aug. 10, the Republican Party can choose a replacement to appear on the ballot thus effectively rendering the write-in candidacies moot.<\/p>\n
Should Householder withdraw after Aug. 10, that would leave no Republican or Democrat on the ballot thus giving eligible write-in candidates a shot.<\/p>\n
The deadline for write-ins to file is Aug. 24.<\/p>\n
Conrad had intended to campaign for an open state senate seat in 2022. Those plans changed on July 21 when he learned of the Householder arrest.<\/p>\n
Conrad, a Lancaster native now living in Perry County, served for two years at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia. He later worked for a chemical plant in Columbus and is set to begin a job in Heath as an aerospace product technician for Boeing.<\/p>\n
He described feeling outraged that Householder would betray the publics trust after having taken an oath of office.<\/p>\n
I was a Marine, Ive taken that oath before, Conrad said. To some people that doesnt mean anything. Its just words. But to me, it means everything.<\/p>\n
If elected, Conrad said he would caucus with the Republican Party.<\/p>\n
Leist, a Libertarian, has also filed for the seat as a write-in.<\/p>\n
2020 has been chaotic enough without having uncertainty regarding our state representation, Leist said in a news release announcing his candidacy put out by the Libertarian Party of Ohio. I have listened to voters concerns regarding this matter and am honored to give our district another solid option.<\/p>\n
Leist is a lifelong resident of Coshocton and previously campaigned for the local city council in 2019. Hes worked for Kraft Heinz in Coshocton for three decades and currently serves as a maintenance coordinator.<\/p>\n
He described having worked closely with the National Libertarian Party and has served on the Libertarian Party of Ohios Central Committee.<\/p>\n
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These two write-in candidates want to replace Larry Householder - The Bryan Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jay Conrad voted for Larry Householder just two years ago. Now, Conrad wants to replace him. I was angry, he said about Householders recent arrest for alleged involvement in a bribery scheme. Continue reading