Athens County has seen a relatively subdued race for Ohio Senate between candidates who are both running for the seat for the first time.
Ohio Sen. Lou Gentile, D-30 — who was appointed to his position in December — is running for the seat against Republican challenger Shane Thompson. Athens County — except for Trimble Township — is also new to the race for the 30th district after it was redrawn following the 2010 census.
Gentile said he is campaigning on the work he has done as a legislator, which includes legislation about green energy, sustainable farming and encouraging Ohioans to work in the oil and gas industries.
In addition, Gentile said his experience in the state senate will aid him in working with both sides of the political aisle to get both, more workers in the oil and gas industry, as well as make the industry more transparent.
Thompson said he is focusing primarily on job creation and improving business regulations in the state.
“I think the issue is job growth and creation,” he said. “Although that is something every politician talks about, it goes without saying that a lot of good things flow from a vibrant economy.”
Whereas Gentile said he supports harnessing alternative sources of energy, Thompson said he is also in favor of keeping hydraulic fracturing and coal mining active in the area.
“Green energy is good, but the marketplace will really determine the impact it should have,” Thompson said. “There’s a point where you’re driving an agenda that will simply cost Americans more, whether it is businesses or the people.”
One of the issues Gentile and Thompson agree on is education reform by increasing the investments made into public schools.
“I think ultimately you want the public school to succeed; the public has an investment in that,” Thompson said. “The parents have the most skin in the game of public schooling.”
Gentile said he would also be focusing on reforming the way the state interacts with charter schools.
“Once public dollars are being directed towards (charter schools), I think we need to have the same accountability and standards that our public schools have,” Gentile said.
Amid a negative campaign between presidential candidates, Thompson and Gentile both agree the election is best decided by staying away from negative personal attacks.
“Whenever you’re contrasting your opinions, I think you should focus on the issue and not personality,” Thompson said.
Gentile agreed, saying he prefers to promote his own ideas rather than to cut down on his opponent.
“My campaign has been to run a positive campaign — positive messages to Athens about who I am and what I’ve done as a legislator,” Gentile said.
