HAMILTON, Ohio -- Four people have told WCPO media partner the Journal-News they'd be interested in state Rep. Wes Retherford's seat -- if he steps down.
Retherford, 33, is facing pressure to resign after deputies said they found him passed out behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Silverado at a McDonald's drive-thru March 12. The Republican lawmaker also had a loaded handgun on his seat, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office.
He's charged with one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony, and one count of operating a vehicle under the influence, a misdemeanor.
Though there's been speculation about who may replace him, the Journal-News got these four men on record saying they'd consider it:
Don Carpenter: An insurance agent, Carpenter has worked behind the scenes on political campaigns in Butler County. He has also served on the Butler County GOP Central Committee and is an active member of the party.
Chad Oberson: The owner of Oberson’s Nursery and Landscaping is serving his first term on Fairfield City Council. Though he's interested in Retherford's job, he also told the Journal-News he's considering another run in Fairfield.
Mike Snyder: The Fairfield city councilman will wrap up a third-term in December.
Joe Statzer: A long-time political consultant and current instructor at Cincinnati State Middletown, Statzer said he would be qualified for the seat. Statzer has served as an adviser within Butler County, consulting on campaigns and helping political officials.
Retherford represents Ohio's 51st District, which includes the cities of Hamilton and Fairfield, Ross Township, and parts of Fairfield, Hanover and St. Clair townships. He was first elected state representative in 2012.
Read more at the Journal-News.
