State Representative Clyde Evans, Republican of Rio Grande, will formally announce his candidacy for Ohio‘s 17th State Senate district this Thursday and Friday in a tour of the district.

A long-time resident of southern Ohio and former provost of Rio Grande University, Evans has served as State Representative for the 87th House District since 2003, representing all or part of Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Ross and Vinton counties.

In his time in the State Legislature, Evans supported the 21 percent reduction in the state income tax and worked for stronger job creation and better educational opportunities for southern Ohio, goals he says will continue in the Senate.

Evans has scheduled visits to each county courthouse in the district to meet with media and local Republicans, and in Gallipolis at Dave’s American Grill for a kickoff fundraiser:

Thursday May 28

9 a.m. Ironton

10:40 a.m. Jackson

11:50 a.m. Waverly

1 p.m. Chillicothe

2:15 p.m. Washington Court House

3:45 p.m. Circleville

Friday May 29

9 a.m. Wilmington

10:15 a.m. Hillsboro

1 p.m. McArthur

6 p.m. Gallipolis

The 17th State Senate district, which covers all or part of Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties, will be vacated by State Sen. John Carey as a result of term limits at the end of 2010.