Cong. OH-18: Joy Padgett (R) and the Seven Dwarves

The Columbus Dispatch reports on the field of eight in the 18th District Special Primary here. State Sen. Joy Padgett (R-Coschocton) is the anointed successor and has the support of all but one Republican county chair. However, Dover Mayor Richard P. Homrighausen is a long-time friend of disgraced incumbent Bob Ney (R-Heath) and reports that Ney was "very encouraging" about his bid. Homrighausen, who has been mayor since 1991, seeks the chance to run against his own Law Director, Zack Space (D-Dover), whom he also counts as a personal friend.

Ray Feikert (R-Millersburg) is currently a Holmes County Commissioner, and John Bennett (R-Cambridge) was formerly Guernsey County Health Commissioner. Ralph L. Applegate (?-Columbus) is a frequent candidate, including the Democratic primary this year in this same district, and financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris (R-Zanesville) opposed Ney in the Republican primary, drawing a third of the vote. Those latter two may be barred by the "sore loser" law. Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro (R-Rocky River) has issued his former gubernatorial running mate an advisory opinion clearing Padgett to run despite that law, although a court challenge is possible.

Gregory L. Zelenitz (R-Belmont) is a board member of the Ohio National Road Association and President of the Blaine Bridge Restoration Project. Sam Firman (R-Coshocton) is a farmer. Does anyone have more information to add about these folks? The special primary is only 27 days away!