Ohio Senator Charles Wilson (D-St. Clairsville) announced today that he will run for the seat now held by Ted Strickland (OH-6)*.
As noted by the Times Leader:
The announcement give Wilson, a local businessman, an early start on the campaign for Ohio's Sixth Congressional District, which stretches from Mahoning County, down along the Ohio River through Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto counties.
Wilson currently is the senator for the 30th state Senate district, which includes about half of the congressional district.
Along with serving in the Ohio Senate, Wilson is also the owner of Wilson Funeral and Furniture Co., Inc. and Wilson Realty Company. From 1961 until 1965 he was a member of the United Auto Workers, employed as a welder, painter and assembly line worker.
He is also a member of the Bridgeport Eagles Post 995, National Rifle Association, Moose Lodge, Italian American Club, Bridgeport Rotary, the Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic organizations.
Charlie Wilson is a wealthy business owner with good name recognition and should win the district fairly easily. I've met him on several occasions (even interviewed for a job once), my Mum knows him casually, and he seems like a good candidate. I'm very interested to see whether a Republican opponent will dig up some dirt on his personal life. I'll be watching this one closely.
*Ted Strickland is a Democrat who announced his run for Governor on May 5.
http://www.tedstrickland.com