Erika White, a local union leader and Democrat who lives in Springfield Township, announced Wednesday that she will run for the state House of Representatives this year.
Ms. White, 49, is president of Communications Workers of America Local 4319. She lives in an area now represented by term-limited state Rep. Mike Sheehy (D., Oregon). Current House District 46 includes eastern Lucas County, South Toledo, Maumee, and Springfield Township.
The makeup of the district for the Nov. 8 general election is still in limbo because of a ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court which struck newly drawn maps in response to the 2020 census.
As drawn in the rejected map, Springfield Township is included in a new District 40 that also includes West Toledo north of Laskey Road, Point Place, Oregon, Jerusalem Township, the River Road corridor of South Toledo, and Maumee.
Ms. White would run for the Democratic nomination in the primary scheduled for May 3.
She said she is a telecommunications specialist, a mother, and a health and wellness advocate for Lucas County.
“As a mother, I understand the importance of receiving a quality education while also keeping kids safe at school. As the wife of a firefighter, I understand the resources needed to protect those who protect and serve us in our community,” Ms. White said in a statement released Wednesday.
“Since I was young, it was instilled in me that we fight for what is right and you always give back to your community. That is why I'm running for the Ohio House. I want to fight for the middle class, for safe neighborhoods, a strong economy with living-wage jobs, and fair funding for schools,” she said.
Ms. White is the second candidate in recent days to declare their candidacy for the statehouse. Colin Flanagan, 22, of Oregon, last week announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the proposed 40th House District.
“Working people are always the first ones cut out of the deal,” Mr. Flanagan said in his announcement video. “But it doesn’t have to be this way, because working people are always there when the community needs them.”
First Published January 19, 2022, 2:17 p.m.
