DARKE COUNTY — Ohio Rep. Stephen A. Huffman (R-Tipp City) has announced his intention to run for Ohio’s 5th District Senate seat in 2018.
Huffman, a physician and former coroner for Miami County, is currently serving his second term as state representative for Ohio’s 80th House District.
The 5th District Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Bill Beagle, who is unable to run for reelection due to term limits. The district includes all of Miami and Preble Counties, the southern portion of Darke County, and parts of the western portion of Montgomery County.
“Bill Beagle has served 5th Senate District district with distinction during his two terms representing us in Columbus. I thank him for his service to 5th Senate District.” Huffman said.
“As a husband and father of five children I work every day to make Ohio fiscally responsible, our communities attractive to employers to stimulate job growth, to make sure our schools receive their fair share of the state’s education dollars and to use my experiences as a physician to find commons sense solutions to health care and the opiate/heroin crisis Ohio is facing,” said Huffman.
He continued, “Under Republican leadership, Ohio has made positive strides over the past several years. Our economy is moving in a positive direction. Real job growth has happened in our region. Tax dollars are being given back to our citizens and small business owners and we’ve balanced our state budgets by making smart decisions.”
“As a state senator, I will continue what I did in the House of Representatives, doing what’s best for families, being fiscally conservative, protecting the sanctity of life and our 2nd Amendment rights. When I represent the citizens in the Senate, the taxpayers of this district can rest assured that I will work every day to reduce the size of government and make the tough decisions.”
“I look forward to the campaign trail where we can meet the citizens of the district to talk about what is important to them and inform them of my vision for Ohio and the 5th Senate District.” Huffman concluded.
The announcement of Huffman’s candidacy met with approval from former State Rep. Jim Buchy.
“We need to have more people of integrity like Sen. Bill Beagle in the Senate. Rep Huffman has the conservative values of the people in the 5th Senate district,” he said.
“I have worked with Dr. Huffman as Miami County Coroner and as a state representative in fighting the opioid epidemic. I look forward to working with Dr. Huffman on these issues when he is in the Senate,” added, Dr. Kent Harshbarger, Montgomery County Coroner.
Sen. Beagle, while not officially endorsing a candidate, expressed his hopes for the eventual winner.
“I am hopeful that whoever succeeds me in the senate will continue the work we’ve been doing since 2011: developing our workforce, managing taxpayer dollars wisely, and helping those who create jobs to grow and thrive,” he said.
As for his own future plans, Beagle said he is focused on current responsibilities.
“I’m focused on the state budget, which is in the senate now,” he said. “When that is complete I will take time to see what my options are. There is still work to do to improve the lives of working families. So, I hope to remain engaged in the region in some capacity.”
Huffman resides in Tipp City, Ohio, with his wife, Kathryn, and their five children. He is a 1983 graduate of Milton-Union High School in West Milton, Ohio. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in 1992 and a bachelors of arts degree from the University Toledo in 1988 where he was also a three-year starter for the Rockets football team.
During his career, Steve Huffman has volunteered on medical missions where he treated the underserved in St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia, Bahamas, St. Croix, St. Thomas, Belize, Guatemala, Cameron, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
The Republican primary election for the seat is May 2, 2018.
