2 Democrats, 2 Republicans vying for Ohio's 61st House District in Delaware, Knox counties

A Republican and two Democrats — one of them not yet 18 — want to challenge incumbent Republican Beth Lear to represent Ohio's 61st House District, which includes eastern Delaware County and western Knox County.

The party winner of each March 19 primary will move on to the Nov. 5 general election.

The Dispatch recently reached out to all four candidates to discuss their respective candidacies and the issues ahead of the primary.

Republicans

Beth Lear

In her first term, incumbent Beth Lear, of Galena, in Delaware County, defends her conservative stance as reflecting what her constituents want. She opposes abortion, LGBTQ rights and what she calls alternative family structures. She also strongly decries tax increases, especially their effect on those on fixed incomes.

"I actually have been widely supported across a vast spectrum of Republicans," Lear, 56, said.

Still, some of her statements on social issues have been called offensive.

During a state House committee hearing to discuss gender dysphoria, Lear equated families who wrestle with gender identity to delusions of being a bird.

"If I had a child who thought he was a bird, am I going to take him to a doctor who tells him the best thing to do is to let him explore being a bird?" Lear said. "And oh, by the way, there's a five-story building next door — why don't you jump off and see if you can fly?"

Lear has said that her comments often are taken out of context, blaming the media.

Asked about reaching out to Democrats to find consensus, she said: "In order to do that, you need to have two willing participants, and I haven't seen that at the Statehouse."

"The responsibility for dealing with the disunity is on the church and individual. My job is to speak the truth … to respect the innocent, the children. There are some areas where you can compromise and some areas where you can't."

Mike Holt

Lear's Republican challenger, Mike Holt, 60, a Mount Vernon businessman, has worked in farming, construction, vehicle repair and as a research chemist.

"I've got so much experience in so many different professional lives that I really think I can make a difference. It really prepared me to understand our community," Holt said.

Owner of AVA Properties, a real estate and home construction company, Holt said he's known around Knox County as someone on whom to rely.

"I've either built their houses, pulled their cars out of a pond or helped them with horses," he said.

Holt won't criticize Lear's policies, indicating he agrees with most.

Democrats

David Hogan

David Hogan, a resident of Ashley in northern Delaware County and a history professor for 35 years at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, doesn't hold back when asked why he's running:

"I realized that Beth Lear's extremist ideology does not represent my views nor the views of anyone I know and respect. I detest bigotry against anyone," he said in an email exchange with The Dispatch.

He said he agrees with Lear "on nothing," noting that his daughter, who is gay, deserves better.

"I do not want her living here in Ohio as a second-class citizen," Hogan, 64, said.

A proponent of public schools, Hogan also is a Second Amendment defender and gun owner who supports some restrictions on their sale and use. Lawmakers "have to finally confront the epidemic of gun violence in our state by enacting reasonable measures, such as closing gun show and internet sales loopholes and screening for mental health crises.

"We must stop the killing," he said.

As for working across party lines to find consensus, Hogan says that "polarized, extremist politicians such as Beth Lear take a paycheck, then achieve nothing towards improving life in our state."

Hogan thinks he has a better chance of victory, given that the city of Delaware, increasingly diverse, is now included in the 61st House District.

"Delaware is increasing 'purple' within the last few years, electing an increasing number of Democrats to city council and the school board. What may have been a certain outcome in previous Delaware County elections is now an open contest which I plan to win," he said.

Even without redistricting advantages, Hogan said, "I still would have run against Lear, even if futile, because I think bad politicians need to be challenged."

Christian Smith

Christian Smith, 17, a junior at Delaware Hayes High School, said he has been interested in maps, political boundaries and politics for several years.

"It has always been a passion," he said.

Smith said he was drawn to running for Ohio House 61st District representative as a way to attract younger voters with progressive ideas. To qualify, he must turn 18 before the Nov. 5 election. His birthday is Sept. 6.

"I though I could help younger people who are turned off by elections," he said from his home in Delaware.

From his website: "I see the political atmosphere with a fresh, unbiased set of eyes. I believe our Statehouse is in need of newer opinions."

Among his goals are universal kindergarten and day care, reducing college tuition, more renewable and clean energy alternatives. To accomplish these, he wants to end political gerrymandering in Ohio to create more opportunity for diverse political views.

"I want to help try to ban it in Ohio," Smith said of gerrymandering, "creating a law for an independent commission, instead of having the legislature do it — even if I was the one drawing the boundaries."

Smith's mother, Jessica, said her son has mostly just shared his candidacy with family and friends. "But it's really heartfelt and he's very excited about it," she said.

Even though he is a registered Democrat in a Republican-majority district, Smith said he admires those who follow their principles, not their party.

"I like people who like to do things that are nonpartisan."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio elections: Rep. Beth Lear hopes to keep 61st House District seat