Cong OH-4: Gilb (R) Drops Out

As reported in the Toledo Blade here, State Rep. Mike Gilb (R-Findlay) has quit the race to succeed Mike Oxley (R) in Ohio's 4th Congressional District. Gilb said continuing his campaign "would not be in the best interest of promoting party unity." Gilb also said that he does not intend to seek re-election to the 76th District seat in the Ohio House. Prior to announcing his Congressional bid, Gilb had expressed interest in running for the Ohio Senate, but there is no indication that he will revive that effort. Gilb is one of ten co-sponsors of atrocious H.B. 515, a measure that would decrease the chances of children in state custody from being placed in loving homes by barring gay couples as foster or adoptive parents.

Gilb's departure leaves front-runner State Sen. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) to face atorney Charles Weasel (R-Findlay) and businessman Jim Stahl (R-Findlay) in the Republican primary, with attorneys Richard Siferd (D-Lima) and John Kostyo (D-Findlay) squaring off in the Democratic primary. Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Nestor (I) and Nathan Martin (I) appear to be running as independents.