After few surprises in the Super Tuesday primary, eyes around the state are turning to Southeast Ohio, home to what could be the highest-profile state-level race. Terry Anderson, Democrat, will challenge Sen. Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton, for her 20th Senate District seat in the Nov. 2 general election.
Both ran unopposed in the March 2 primary. The 20th district comprises Athens, Coshocton, Guernsey, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble and Washington counties.
Padgett is serving in the Ohio Senate after being appointed to fill James Carnes' seat in January. Before that, she was the director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia and served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Anderson is a former professor of journalism at Columbia and Ohio Universities. A former journalist, he was held hostage in Lebanon for seven years, the basis for his book Den of Lions. He owns The Blue Gator and other area businesses.
How could you hope for a better candidate? said Susan Gwinn, Athens County Democratic Party chairwoman.
Padgett said Anderson's name recognition does not bother her.
I don't spend much time thinking about the opponent
she said. My issues are the same; the strategy is the same. The fact that it's Mr. Anderson changes nothing.
Athens County Republican Chairman Ellsworth Holden said Anderson is not as large a figure as Democrats think.
In (Coshocton) County they're probably saying 'Terry who?' he said.
Anderson said his candidacy represents a desire for change from the dominance of the Republican Party in Ohio.
There are a lot of people in this district that are fed up he said. They're tired of being ignored. They are tired of going to state offices in Columbus and getting short shrift
of getting no answers and no help. And that's what's going to put me in the Senate on Jan. 1.
Padgett has followed in lockstep the wishes of the Taft administration, Anderson said.
Certainly
in the last five years as the head of the Governor's Office of Appalachia
she has carried out the Taft administration's policies and wishes. For her to come out in this election and say
'Oh
I don't agree with Bob Taft' is posturing
he said.
Padgett said Anderson overlooks the fact she was a Democrat until 1988.
I'm not a group thinker
she said. Part of the reason I took the job is there are things I felt weren't being addressed. And I felt I could do a better job addressing them as a legislator. So
he's wrong.
Both candidates point to jobs, education and health care as their primary issues.
Improving technology is key to attracting jobs and improving education, Padgett said.
Anderson said the biggest problem with education is the state's school funding system, which the Supreme Court repeatedly has found unconstitutional.
Both candidates said meeting people in the district is a vital part of the upcoming campaign.
You really gotta get out and talk to people
