Brian Lampton and John Broughton will face each other in the March 17 primary. The winner will run against Democrat Kim McCarthy to represent Ohio’s 73rd District.
District 73 encompasses parts of Fairborn, Yellow Springs, Beavercreek, Bellbrook and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
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The Dayton Daily News asked the candidates several question about their experiece and why they are running.
What experience do you bring to the table that you think would make you a good fit to represent District 73?
Brian Lampton: As a small business owner and insurance agent, I have a unique experience of working for people with a variety of backgrounds. Moreover, I am a committed community volunteer, which further diversifies my experiences. I believe I am the right choice to represent the people of the House District 73.
John Broughton: I am the only candidate with military experience to understand issues that affect our veterans. I am the only candidate with legislative experience from my time serving as a Beavercreek City Councilman. I am the only candidate with experience protecting our taxpayers as I have served as Chairman of the Greene County Public Defenders' Office where I have held the line on keeping expenses down for 14 years.
What do you think residents in your district are looking for from their state lawmakers?
Lampton: I believe the people of the 73rd district are looking for a state representative that is active in representing their needs and works to get things accomplished. There is great opportunity at the Statehouse to pass and implement impactful public policy, unlike Washington. The people look to their state lawmakers to keep moving their communities, and Ohio forward.
Broughton: Honesty, integrity, leadership, someone who will be looking out for the district's best interests and not someone who is looking only to advance their own career.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest employer in the district. What would you do at the state level to bring jobs to the base and protect the jobs that are there?
Lampton: I will work to continue Representative Perales's efforts to protect Wright Patterson Air Force Base. I will ensure there is appropriate funding to and infrastructure support the base, attract projects and missions, and safeguard against BRAC.
Broughton: Because Wright-Patterson is a federal installation, I would need to follow the lead of our local Congressman, Mike Turner, to see what the State of Ohio can do to assist. I do believe Wright-Patterson is vital to our local economy and we need to do anything we can to protect jobs there.
What do you view as the single biggest challenge facing the state and how would you deal with it?
Lampton: I believe the opioid crises is the single biggest challenge facing our state. I believe we should invest in proven youth drug education prevention programs that promote dialogue in our communities and encourage youth to connect with law enforcement, community leaders, business leaders, and treatment professionals. We need to encourage employers and employees to implement a comprehensive drug-free-workplace, which includes: clear guidance where employees can turn for assistance, intervention training that guides employees to resources for recovery, and plans for a second chance process for employees in recovery. Through all this, we need to partner with law enforcement, to pool resources and provide usable data for the programs outlined about local drug courts and treatment facilities.
Broughton: Naming the problems is easy. Solving them is not so easy. Obviously, the drug epidemic is a major problem, but government may not have the solution at this time. The same goes for how to pay for our schools.
Do you support the current leadership in the Ohio House of Representatives? Why or why not?
Lampton: I support the current leadership in the Ohio House of Representatives. In this General Assembly, there has been overwhelming bipartisan support for a number of quality pieces of legislation, including the Transportation and Operating Budget. Greene County has benefited greatly from the across board income tax cut, infrastructure funding, and record amount of dollars for our local schools.
Broughton: I respect the positions within the leadership. However, I feel our Speaker of the House, in particular, pits Republicans against Republicans. I also do not feel that members of the House should be put into position to stroke his ego.
What would you do to bring jobs to Ohio/create jobs in Ohio? How would you tackle the issue of workforce development?
Lampton: I talk with a lot of local business owners and educators, and I have discovered we need to address the gap in our workforce. We need to be educating and training our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, so we are providing a path to prosperity for our youth. I would like to incorporate additional trade skills in the curriculum. I want to facilitate additional partnerships between companies and higher education to address the current gaps in training for many current job vacancies.
Broughton: We need to make Ohio competitive with our neighboring states.
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Vote early
Voters who want to get their ballots in before the primary on Mar. 17 can vote absentee, by mail or in person at their county board of elections offices.
The deadline to request absentee mail ballots is three days before the election, or Mar. 14.
Absentee ballots must be signed. Absentee ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by the day before the election to be counted, or they can be returned in-person at the county board of elections before polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting hours are the same in all Ohio counties:
‒ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through March 6
‒ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7
‒ 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13
‒ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14
‒ 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15
‒ 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 16
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