Incumbent Miamisburg state rep faces primary battle for 1st time

The Republican Party primary election for the Ohio House of Representatives 42nd District seat may be a three-way race this spring. FILE PHOTO

The Republican Party primary election for the Ohio House of Representatives 42nd District seat may be a three-way race this spring. FILE PHOTO

The incumbent state representative for the Ohio 42nd House district is facing primary opposition for the first time.

Two Republican Party opponents are seeking to challenge Niraj Antani as the GOP’s choice in the May 8 primary.

Miamisburg Vice Mayor Sarah Clark and Marcus Rech of Miamisburg both filed petitions before Wednesday’s deadline to seek the seat, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

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In the Democratic Party primary, Zach Dickerson and Autumn Kerns, both of Miamisburg, have filed for the seat, according to the board of elections.

Antani, also of Miamisburg, has held the seat for three years. He was the county GOP’s choice to succeed Terry Blair when the Washington Twp. state representative died in 2014.

Antani emerged victorious as a 23-year-old University of Dayton student among five candidates in a party caucus vote in July of that year. But he has run unopposed in the 2016 primary, later defeating then-West Carrollton City Councilman Patrick Merris in the general election.

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The district includes Germantown, German Twp., Miami Twp., Miamisburg, Moraine, Washington Twp. and West Carrollton.

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