Ohio Democratic leaders aim to influence local primary race for the statehouse

Rep. Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, the House minority leader, has endorsed Sarah Grace, she told The Post on Monday. And last Friday, he called Eddie Smith to suggest he should drop out of the primary race, Smith told The Post. Grace is Smith's opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary for the 94th House District on March 15th.

Strahorn could not be reached for comment Monday.

Grace said she was unaware of the phone call to Smith. But on Feb. 16, she said the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, chaired by Strahorn, called to inform her of its endorsement. This is the first time Grace has spoken to the media about the endorsement.

Smith said he told Strahorn he will not drop out of the race. On Saturday, the day after Strahorn’s phone call, Smith won a straw poll during an Athens County Democratic Party fundraiser. He beat Grace 37-31 with 103 people in attendance.

Phillips’ role in the House Democrats’ endorsement is unknown, but she has endorsed Grace. She previously was a member of the House Democratic leadership. But Smith, a graduate student at Ohio University where he is also president of Graduate Student Senate, said Phillips told him she had no role in Strahorn’s endorsement. Phillips could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

John Haseley, a former state party official and chairman of the Athens County Democratic Party, said he had no comment on the state endorsement. The county party is neutral.

Haseley added that occasionally, the Ohio House Democratic Caucus does endorse a candidate before the primary election.

The race has opened a fissure among local Democrats: while Phillips has endorsed Grace, Smith is being backed by Chris Chmiel, an Athens County commissioner.

The winner of the primary will face Jay Edwards, the sole Republican running in the race, in the November general election.

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