Filing Deadline Brings Surprises Along With Candidates

The chair of the Ohio Democratic Party wants to return to the state Legislature. That was one of the surprises from Wednesday's deadline to file to run for Ohio’s congressional and legislative seats. Chris Redfern says he hopes to retain his position with party leadership if he wins a seat. He previously represented a district near Lake Erie. Wednesday also brought the number of Democrats hoping to represent Franklin county’s new urban 3rd Congressional district to four: Columbus city councilwoman Priscilla Tyson, former Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, former U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, and current Ohio Representative Ted Celeste. As predicted, Republican Reps. Steve Austria and Mike Turner will face off in a primary to represent the new 10th Congressional district. Democrats Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich will compete in a primary race to represent the revamped Lake Erie-hugging 9th district. Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich also bucked some speculation by turning in enough signatures to get his name on Ohio’s primary ballot.