Ex-North Baltimore councilman to run for Ohio's 6th House seat

11/28/2007

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio - Former North Baltimore Councilman Jeff Bretz said yesterday he plans to make a second run for Ohio's 6th House District seat.

In 2006, Mr. Bretz, a Democrat, unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) to represent the district, which encompasses all of Wood County.

Mr. Bretz served 11 years on North Baltimore council and 20 years with the North Baltimore Emergency Medical Squad. He is employed as a sales and tooling engineer with Ottawa Rubber Co.

Mr. Bretz said in a news release that if elected, he would focus on economic development and education, which he believes are closely related.

"The state legislature doesn't get the link between education and the economy," he said.

State Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), who is prohibited from running for another term in the Senate because of term limits, said he intends to run for the 6th District House seat, although he has not formally declared his candidacy.

He said he expects to make an announcement regarding his intentions within 10 days.