HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) – Republican Party officials in the biggest county in the U.S. House district vacated by former House Speaker John Boehner’s (BAY’-nurz) retirement will discuss making an endorsement in the primary race.

The Butler County GOP plans a Tuesday evening meeting in Hamilton. There are a more than a half dozen Republicans in the running for the March 15 nomination. The special general election vote will be June 7.

The 8th District spans six counties across western Ohio. Boehner was first elected from Butler County to the heavily Republican seat in 1990 after a primary that ousted a scandal-marred incumbent.

Among the announced GOP candidates from Butler County are state Rep. Tim Derickson and Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds.