The Republican leader of the Ohio Senate said he won’t join the race for the U.S. House of Representative seat being vacated by Speaker John Boehner, but he’s keeping his options open for a statewide bid.
Sen. Keith Faber, who represents Champaign County, told reporters that his wife, family and friends determined that it wasn’t the right seat, at the right time or the right job for him right now.
Meanwhile, Springfield Republican and former State Rep. Ross McGregor said earlier this week he is interested, but still undecided about running for Boehner’s seat.
Faber, of Celina, is term-limited at the end of 2016. He said he anticipates running for statewide office in 2018, potentially for auditor or attorney general.
Ohio Auditor Dave Yost and Attorney General Mike DeWine, both Republicans, must vacate their offices in 2018 due to term limits.
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Yost is weighing an attorney general run, while DeWine may seek the governor’s office.
Earlier this week, Springfield Republican Ross McGregor told the Springfield News-Sun he’s still exploring a run for Boehner’s seat. He believes he could add value to Congress, but said there’s still a lot of things to consider.
“I think I have the skills necessary,” McGregor said. “It’s a big decision to make and would have a large impact on the family and my business. It’s not something you go into lightly.”
McGregor, 49, was appointed to replace Merle Kearns in 2005. After his appointment, he was elected to three terms in office, representing the 72nd district, which later became the 79th district.
McGregor’s fourth term expired in December and he could not run again last year due to term limits. Springfield Republican Kyle Koehler was elected to replace him last year. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President at Pentaflex, Inc., a Springfield-based metalworking business.
Staff Writer Michael Cooper contributed to this report