Due to a paperwork error, state Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson, the third highest-ranking House Democrat, was forced to withdraw her petitions for the March 17 primary and register as a write-in candidate in order to run again for her seat.
“I’m human,” said Ms. Hicks-Hudson, a freshman representative who hails from solidly blue central Toledo. “This is something that’s not that unusual.”
Ms. Hicks-Hudson failed to submit a page that included her original signature, according to the House Democratic Caucus. And rather than risk not being able to run, Ms. Hicks-Hudson pulled her paperwork last month before the Lucas County Board of Elections could act on it.
Since Toledo’s former mayor was running unopposed in the Democratic primary for 44th House District, the issue isn’t likely to impact her chances of winning re-election unless another Democrat files as a write-in by the Jan. 6 deadline. The primary winner automatically advances to the general election ballot.
“This happens from time to time and it’s unfortunate, but we are taking the proper steps to ensure that voters can cast their vote for Rep. Hicks-Hudson both in the March primary as a write-in and again in November on the ballot,” said Aryeh Alex, executive director for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus.
Still, running as a write-in means more work and uncertainty in what should have been an uncomplicated race. The worst-case scenario for Ms. Hicks-Hudson is a Democratic free-for-all that pushes the House’s minority whip out of office.
“I’m not worried,” Ms. Hicks-Hudson said. “It’s really nothing different from what I’ve always done, which is seek voters’ approval.”
A similar issue derailed former Fremont Republican Rep. Rex Damschroder in 2014 when he failed to sign petition forms and could not appear on the ballot in his Ohio House primary. His wife ran instead, planning to step aside for the general election, but she lost to another write-in candidate, Rep. Bill Reineke (R., Fremont), who’s now running for state Senate.
In 2018, Rep. Kristin Boggs (D., Columbus) also had to run as a write-in candidate after failing to sign petition forms. She remained unopposed in the primary and coasted to an easy win in the general election.
Like Ms. Boggs, Ms. Hicks-Hudson withdrew her paperwork before the board certified its petitions, ultimately salvaging her re-election bid.
The Republican candidate in Ms. Hicks-Hudson’s district, Robert McMahon, is running unopposed in the primary.
First Published January 3, 2020, 2:02 a.m.
