Staff Report

A Portsmouth man is throwing his hat into the race for the 89th District of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Democrat Ron Hadsell Jr., has announced his candidacy for the position in 2010.

“I bring Southern Ohio values to this race,” Hadsell wrote in a letter announcing his candidacy. “Personally, I am pro Second Amendment, against abortion and for strengthening our families and community. It is my priority to help build our economy. In doing so, I believe we must address problems that are helping to break our state budget, such as crime, the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and illegal alien workers that do not pay taxes as you and I do.”

Hadsell, a partner with J&H Erectors and Hadsell Development, said his background in business and labor position him to bring new initiatives in business development.

“I think our district needs a representative who is business-savvy and worker friendly,” Hadsell said.

“It is time for a state rep that understands how jobs are created and how to put South Ohio back on the economic development map again. We need someone in the statehouse who understands how business decisions are made because I do it everyday.”

The candidate wants to create an industrial and technology corridor to create jobs in the area. He also wants to have monthly roundtable discussions for business, labor and communities to develop greater communication.

Hadsell said he wants to make sure economic stimulus money find its way to southern Ohio.

“There are a lot of opportunities out there if we had more access to funding to put all the pieces together,” Hadsell said.

“We need a leader that will have full access to this funding. We need more emphasis on worker training, working with our universities, greater capital access and bringing the players together to get a vision for our future.”

Hadsell also said he would address issues with the Ironton-Russell Bridge.

“I realize this project was over budget when it bid a few years back,” Hadsell said. “As your representative I will work with ODOT to bring Ironton a bridge that is fully-functional, aesthetically pleasing yet affordable within the limited resources available so that the communities concern about the present bridges shape will be addressed.”

The candidate said he is in support of Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to hold back the final year of tax cuts that were put in place before the recession began.

“It is not time for a tax cut when our state is at a budget deficit during a recessionary period,” Hadsell said. “If implemented there will be an across the board 13 percent cut in school funding statewide, adversely affecting all Lawrence, Scioto and Adams County schools in our district next month.

“Columbus needs more common sense and less politics. A handful of state senators are putting politics ahead of our kids and families welfare. As representative, I will solve problems and not create political issues.”

Hadsell seeks the seat that will be vacated by Rep. Todd Book, who is term limited.

So far, Hadsell is the only Democrat that has formally declared candidacy for the seat so he may not have any competition in the spring primary.

Dr. Terry Johnson, also of Portsmouth, plans to run as a Republican.