Democrats compete in primary for House seat

Ohio has a second primary this year, and the Democrats have a race for the 83rd Ohio House District. Both candidates have ties to Findlay. Melissa Kritzell, 45, of Findlay, and Claire Osborne, 31, a graduate of the University of Findlay who works for a local recovery program, will vie for the party's nomination in the Aug. 2 special election. Early voting started July 6. The winner will challenge the incumbent state Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, in the Nov. 8 general election. Cross, 42, has held office since 2019. He is currently seeking his third term. In May, a federal court panel ordered Ohio to hold an Aug. 2 primary using the third set of Statehouse maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission, despite a rebuke of the plan by the state's high court. The 83rd District still represents Hancock, Hardin and parts of Logan counties, based on the court-ordered version of the Statehouse maps. Melissa Kritzell Kritzell ran for the Hancock County Board of Commissioners in 2020, challenging Commissioner William "Bill" Bateson. Bateson won election in the race by more than a 2-to-1 margin. She is a state-tested nurse's aide. On her campaign's website — www.mkritzellforohiostaterep.org — Kritzell said her experience with the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1995, at the age of 18, drives her views on the need for "affordable and accessible women's healthcare." "Today, I am happy to say that I am still in remission," she said. Kritzell said she is an advocate for women's health care. "I trust women to choose what is right for their bodies when it comes to their personal healthcare," Kritzell said. On the site, Kritzell also lists her position on several other issues, including the Second Amendment, homeless advocacy and unions. Kritzell said she supports the Second Amendment, but believes current gun laws need to be strengthened, especially when it comes to background checks and loopholes. "Bearing arms is a right when it's done legally and responsibly," Kritzell said. On the issue of the homeless, Kritzell said she is an advocate for "well-built programs" that focus on education and "long-lasting independence" as a solution. Kritzell is also a union supporter and said believes all Ohioans should be paid a livable wage. Claire Osborne On her campaign website — www.claireforohio.com — Osborne says she's "permanently passionate about ensuring Ohio is a great place to live, work and thrive." "This can be achieved if we dare to recover, reimagine and rebuild Ohio for our future," she said. She is the co-founder of Hancock County Young Democrats and presently serves as its president. She is a licensed social worker and works as the program manager for Focus Recovery and Wellness Community, a local peer recovery community organization that is focused on helping build recovery skills for those who struggle with substance abuse, mental health conditions and trauma. Some of the top issues addressed by Osborne on her site include the environment, LGBTQ rights and gun control. "To secure a high quality of life for all Ohioans we need to protect the environment. Claire will ensure we protect Lake Erie and the future of our plentiful agriculture by fighting for a policy that protects our resources and creates new green jobs while we are at it," she said. On the issue of LGBTQ rights, Osborne said: "Our campaign stands against the passage of HB 454 which threatens to violate people's right to personal and medical privacy of transgender youth, potentially putting their lives in danger." Osborne is also an advocate of gender-affirming care and legislation that would prevent employers from firing workers on the basis of sexuality or gender. On gun control, Osborne said the debate won't change overnight, "but we can take steps to prevent mass shootings and suicides and more excellent safety in our communities. We must also take measures to provide more significant funding for mental health in kindergarten through 12th grade, and in local communities. "I will not let people paint me as an anti-gun Democrat. I support the second amendment, and I support safe and responsible gun ownership," she said. Grant: 419-427-8412