State Rep. Rex Damschroder (R., Fremont) has withdrawn his candidacy for re-election, according to the Sandusky County Board of Elections.

Director Lisa Hartley said she would not speculate on the reasons.

Mr. Damschroder filed five signature petitions but signed only three of the declarations of candidacy, according to a copy of the petitions obtained by The Blade.

He said Republican Party lawyers in Columbus are exploring whether he can run as a write-in candidate, The Sandusky Register reported today.

Mr. Damschroder was the only person to file petitions for the May 6 primary election.

The deadline for write-in candidates is Feb. 24.

Ms. Hartley declined to comment on whether Mr. Damschroder would be able to refile either as a write-in or an independent.

Mr. Damschroder was a state representative from 1995 to 2003 when he had to step down because of term limits. He was elected again in 2010 and 2012. The district includes Sandusky County and most of Seneca County.

First Published February 13, 2014, 5:32 p.m.