PDT Staff Report

A state senator has received the support of the Scioto County Democratic Party in his bid for the 6th Congressional District seat.

Charlie Wilson, of Bridgeport, is the former Ohio House minority whip who is seeking the U.S. House seat now held by Ted Strickland, who is running for governor.

Scioto County Democratic Party Chairman Randy Basham said in a letter to Wilson that the county membership wants him in Congress.

“You have been a strong voice for the people in southeastern Ohio in both the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate,” Basham wrote.

Wilson said as a lifelong resident of southern Ohio, he would be proud to represent its residents in Washington, D.C., and would stay in touch with their needs.

“I am overwhelmed by the support I'm receiving and now from the Democrats living in Scioto County,” Wilson said. “I believe in taking Ohio's values to Washington and providing a voice for Scioto County while serving in Congress.”

Wilson received the Scioto County endorsement when he visited the New Boston Village Hall on Friday night.

The only other Democrat to announce he is running for the Congressional seat is John Stephen Luchansky, of Poland, Ohio.

Republicans running for the seat include Ohio Rep. Chuck Blasdel, of East Liverpool; Tim Ginter, of East Liverpool, an Evangelical pastor and ex-Jefferson County Conservative Coalition chairman; Danny Harmon, of Batesville, a Noble County commissioner; and Richard Holt, of Gallipolis, a consultant.

Under Ohio law, Strickland is prohibited to run for both a state and federal seat at the same time.

The 6th Congressional District stretches 330 miles along the Ohio River from Portsmouth to south of Youngstown.