Incumbent Sen. Lou Gentile is the first candidate to announce his campaign for Ohio's 30th District.
With about two weeks left before the deadline, no candidate has filed for Ohio's 30th District state senator office.
But Tuesday, incumbent Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, officially announced his candidacy.
Gentile has held the seat, which includes part of Athens, since 2011, when he was appointed to the position. He was then reelected in 2012.
He currently serves as the Assistant Minority Whip.
“We have accomplished many things, working together, these past four years,” Gentile said in a news release Tuesday. “I’m running for re-election because there is still more to do.”
The release said Gentile would focus on creating living-wage jobs in the region if he were reelected.
"I’m genuinely committed to public service," he said in an interview. "And I think as the campaign goes on (voters) will recognize that I'm running for reelection not for myself but because I have a strong commitment to Appalachia."
Athens County Democratic chair John Haseley said he was confident in Gentile’s abilities and his chances to be reelected.
“I don’t think you’ll find a candidate that will work harder than Lou Gentile,” he said. “He’s somebody that has worked his heart out to represent this part of Ohio and he’s been a fantastic voice for this region.”
Haseley said he has known Gentile since he worked for then-governor Ted Strickland as the Assistant Director of the Office of Appalachia.
“He’s always been the same Lou Gentile,” Haseley said. “He’s very sincere and very committed in the work that he does.”
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Candidates have until Dec. 16 to file for candidacy with the Belmont County Board of Elections.
Kelly McCabe, deputy director at the board of elections, said it’s not uncommon for there to be no filings yet.
“Some file early and some wait until the day before or a couple days before,” she said.
There are currently no Republican contenders who have announced intentions to run for the seat, and Haseley said he hasn’t heard of any potential candidates from the opposition
“I personally have not really heard a lot of names being thrown out there,” Haseley said. “I’m guessing it’s because he’s such a great representative.”
Pete Couladis, chair of the Athens County Republican Party, could not be reached for comment.
"I’m almost certain the Republicans are working day and night to recruit someone," Gentile said. "I'm certain they will spend an ungodly amount of money to defeat me, but I don’t think there's any amount of money that can divide me from the relationship that I've worked hard to build with my constituents."
Gentile said any Republican campaign for the seat would be primarily Columbus-driven, whereas he plans on running a grassroots campaign.
"Whoever they choose, I hope they have their running shoes on, because this is a seven day a week venture for me," he said.
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