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Rep. Niraj Antani To Face Multiple Challengers In Primary Election Bid

State Representative (42) Niraj Antani

Incumbent Montgomery County State Rep. Niraj Antani will face Republican challengers in the upcoming May 8 primary election. Two Democrats are also vying for the two-term Republican State Representative’s District-42 seat.  

Antani has represented the Ohio House district that includes Miamisburg for the last three years. He was just 23 when he began his first term in office. Antani was the first Indian-American Republican elected to state office in Ohio. He’s made reducing taxes a priority during his time in office -- even calling for eliminating the state’s income tax. 

Antani’s Republican-primary challengers are current Miamisburg vice-mayor Sarah Clark and Conservative activist Marcus Rech.

Both candidates have similar views to Antani on taxes and other issues. Clark has served on the Miamisburg City Council for nine years and says if she’s elected, she would support legislation to lower Ohio health-care costs. Rech is an MBA marketing student who has advocated for more local control of education.

The Democratic challengers in the 42nd district race are Zach Dickerson and Autumn Kern.

Dickerson describes himself as a “concerned citizen and moderate Democrat.” He advocates for moving public school funding away from the property tax model. He says he also supports some tax cuts. 

Kern is a student at Wright State University, studying ‘peace and diplomacy.’ She recently moderated a forum aimed at finding bi-partisan common ground on immigration issues in Dayton. 

Following the May 8 primary, one Republican and one Democrat will appear on the ballot in November’s general election.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.