Region to get 5 new lawmakers in state House

65-34 GOP advantage in Ohio General Assembly highest since 1968.

In January, when five new area lawmakers are sworn in among the 65 Republican state representatives, the GOP caucus will enjoy its widest majority in the Ohio House since 1968.

The new Republican representatives from the region heading to Columbus in January include Niraj Antani, Steve Huffman, Kyle Koehler, Jeff Rezabek and Paul Zeltwanger.

Republicans will hold a 65-34 advantage in January. Currently Democrats hold 39 of the state’s 99 House seats. The previous high majority under the current districts configuration was 64 GOP seats in the 1969-70 session, according to Mike Dittoe, the House director of communications. Bound by the U.S. Supreme Court decision Baker v. Carr, the state moved in 1968 to districts based on population rather than each county being a voting district.

“We’re just humbled and honored to be the 65th,” said Rezabek, who will serve the 43rd District. “Being historic, that makes it even better.”

The new representatives say Ohio voters wanted conservative solutions to fixing an economy. No incumbent House Republican lost.

“While 65 seats is a very historic and a wonderful number …, I still think we will continue to have an opportunity to work in a bi-partisan fashion and that is the view of most, if not all, members of our caucus coming in – that we can accomplish a lot more together with Republicans leading the way,” Dittoe said.

Rezabek, 45, an attorney from Clayton, said his priority will be “helping out some of the communities that have not fully recovered from many years ago, let alone the last couple of years before Gov. (John) Kasich got in the first time.”

Huffman, 49, from Tipp City and the Miami County coroner, defeated Democrat Jonathan Michalski to replace Republican Richard Adams who did not to seek re-election to the district serving Miami and Darke counties.

The historic number of Republicans elected is an example of “the great leadership by Speaker (William) Batchelder and that the people in the state of Ohio believe in the Kasich administration and what has been done in the last four years,” Huffman said.

At 23, Antani will be the youngest serving state legislator when sworn in and the second Indian-American. The University of Dayton law student from Miami Twp. was selected by the local party to run for the seat held by Terry Blair, who died in office. The district covers most southern suburbs of Montgomery County.

Ohioans are looking for leaders who can create a skilled workforce with good paying jobs, and reduce taxes, Antani said.

“I think it’s a validation that conservative principles and policies work and that the people of Ohio are looking for a conservative solutions to problems that we face,” said Antani who won over Democrat Patrick Merris.

Rezabek and the Republicans finally won the 43rd District, one they’ve eyed for a pick-up since it was redrawn after the 2010 Census. The district includes Dayton, Trotwood, Harrison Twp., western Montgomery County and all of Preble County. The former district represented by Roland Winburn of Dayton was more Democratic.

“The 43rd is a little microcosm of what the state of Ohio looks like – it’s urban, suburban and rural. So it takes a unique person to get everybody going in the right direction,” Rezabek said.

Koehler, 53, of Springfield said his business background helped him get elected Tuesday. Koehler is vice president of his family-owned Springfield business K.K. Tool.

“We know what it takes to create jobs in our area and we’re just looking for government to get out of the way and let small business create the jobs we need,” Koehler said.

Koehler won an open seat, defeating Democrat Darrell Jackson. He will replace Rep. Ross McGregor who served the maximum four terms in the 79th District seat.

Zeltwanger, 48, a Mason real estate developer, won a three-way Republican primary in May before defeating Democrat Rick Smith. The seat is currently occupied by Rep. Peter Beck, R-Mason, who is facing securities fraud and other felony counts. The district covers mostly Warren County and part of Middletown.

Democrats said they will represent the middle class and hold Republicans accountable .

“Over the next two years, you’ll see Democrats elect more leaders to mayors’ offices, city council seats, and local Boards of Education who will continue to fight for progressive values,” the state party said in a release.

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