Councilman officially enters Ohio House race

More than 75 supporters crowded into The Cook's Shop on Front Street Tuesday afternoon to hear Republican Andy Thompson officially announce his candidacy for Ohio's 93rd District House of Representatives.

"We're pretty excited - he has a genuine interest in the community and is a great supporter of small business," said Marilyn Ashcraft, who chairs the Washington County Republican Party.

She said Thompson, currently serving as Marietta City Councilman at-large, had been encouraged for some time to run for a state office.

"He probably could have done this earlier," Ashcraft said.

She noted that so far Thompson is the only Republican candidate seeking the 93rd District office.

"I haven't heard of any others from party committees in surrounding communities of the district," Ashcraft added.

One Democrat, Frank D. Fleischer of New Concord, is also making a bid for the office.

During his announcement on Tuesday, Thompson, publisher of Bird Watcher's Digest, spoke of his family's deep roots in the Marietta area, and pledged support for the district's small businesses.

"(My) cause is limited government," he said. "Government stands in the way of the small businesses who will get us out of this economic malaise."

Thompson said free market capitalism was important to the nation's founding fathers who believed in the ability to create wealth and the ability to keep it as they developed an unprecedented form of government.

"Now we need to get back on course," he said. "We need to elect leaders who realize government has to shrink and not keep on growing."

Marietta attorney Khadine Ritter, Thompson's campaign manager, said the candidate will be traveling throughout the district's five counties in the weeks ahead.

She said an event is already scheduled in Cambridge on Jan. 28.

If successful, Thompson would fill the seat currently occupied by Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta. Garrison is seeking the Ohio Secretary of State's office.

Tara Hupp, deputy director of the Washington County Board of Elections, confirmed that as of Tuesday Thompson was the only Republican filing for the district office, although candidates may file until 4 p.m. on Feb. 18.