Former state Rep. Gene Krebs running for Dayton-area state Senate seat

Former state lawmaker Gene Krebs, a Republican, is running for the Ohio Senate seat now held by Bill Beagle, who is term limited.

The 5th Senate district is among a handful of legislative seats that are truly competitive — meaning either political party has a decent shot at winning the race. Spending on the 5th district race in 2014 topped $1-million.

Krebs faces a GOP primary against state Rep. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, who announced in May that he is running for the seat next year.

Related: Huffman running for Ohio Senate seat held by Beagle

Messages were left with Democrats seeking comment about who might run. State Rep. Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, was the last Democrat to hold the seat. Beagle beat Strahorn in 2010.

Krebs, a farmer and public policy expert in Preble County, said he wants to reform school funding to reduce the reliance on property taxes, expand cell phone and broadband services in rural areas, preserve farmland by making cities more attractive to live in and focus on issues that cause drug abuse.

Krebs has served as a county commissioner, school board member, state representative and chairman of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which advocates for residential utility customers.

The 5th district includes Dayton, west-central Montgomery County, southern Darke County and all of Miami and Preble counties.

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