8 certified to be on ballot for Lang’s old West Chester trustee seat

The field is now set in the race to replace former West Chester Twp. trustee George Lang.

Eight people were certified on Monday afternoon, which officially makes this race for the final two years of the unexpired term tied for the second-most crowded on November’s local ballot.

RELATED: 5 things to know about George Lang's Statehouse appointment

Lang resigned on Sept. 13 in order to be sworn in as the 52nd Ohio House District representative. He was appointed to the seat after former Republican state lawmaker Margy Conditt resigned on Sept. 8.

Since Lang’s resignation happened more than 40 days before the Nov. 7 general election, state law requires voters pick who will serve out the final two years of the unexpired term.

Potential candidates had 10 days to file petitions with the Butler County Board of Elections by Saturday afternoon.

Certified candidates for the seat are:

  • Ann Becker
  • Lawrence Richard Brown
  • David W. Corfman
  • Jillian Kelley
  • David J. Lindenschmidt
  • Christy Ann Miller
  • Lynda Caldwell O'Connor
  • Larry A. Whited

Miami University Regionals political science professor John Forren said it’s not surprising to see so much interest for an open seat.

RELATED: 5 things to know about George Lang's Statehouse appointment

“It’s really not all that often that a seat opens up — even at the township trustee level — so that an interested candidate can run without having to take on an incumbent,” he said. “It’s really a question of seizing a relatively rare opportunity.”

Forren compared it to when former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner resigned in 2015 and there were 15 Republican candidates seeking to succeed him.

He said for many, it can be the start of a political career that can lead to a higher office. Boehner was a former Union Twp. trustee, which is known today as West Chester Twp.

“Among other things, it is an opportunity for a new face in politics to get in on the ground floor,” he said.

RELATED: Butler County Democrats say Lang is 'unfit to serve'

Other crowded races this November in Butler County:

  • Oxford City Council — nine people seeking three seats
  • Hamilton Board of Education — eight people seeking three seats
  • Hamilton City Council — six people seeking three seats
  • Lakota Board of Education — six people seeking three seats

But the race to replace Lang is not the only trustees race West Chester Twp. residents will decide on Election Day.

The full terms for West Chester Twp. trustees Lee Wong and Mark Welch will also be on the Nov. 7 ballot. Wong and Welch are seeking re-election, but they're being challenged by Mariann Penska and long-time former Lakota school board member Joan Powell.

RELATED: George Lang officially sworn in as 52nd Ohio House representative

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