The state Senate race in Ohio’s 30th district pits incumbent Democrat Lou Gentile against Republican challenger Shane Thompson. Gentile’s platform blends a strong emphasis on education with a reasonable focus on job creation, including specific plans to back it up. The Post endorses Lou Gentile for state Senate.
Gentile knows the district. He served in the governor’s Office of Appalachia under Ted Strickland before becoming a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He’s worked in Athens County before and is familiar with local leaders.
Gentile also knows what’s important to Athens County. He voted against Senate Bill 5, worked on Strickland’s college tuition freeze and passed a bill that will give oil- and gas-industry jobs to Ohio workers. He also pushed a bill through the Ohio House that encourages sustainable practices for farmers.
Gentile’s support for Issue 2 is also promising — the winner-take-all districting system, he says, is unhealthy for the state.
Thompson’s agenda seems to non-specifically promote job creation and less regulation. We don’t think that’s what Southeast Ohio needs.
We feel that Lou Gentile is the right choice for Southeast Ohio, and Athens County will be in good hands with his representation.
