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Incumbents Antani, Strahorn Win Reelection In May 8 Primary

Incumbents GOP Montgomery County State Rep. Niraj Antani and Democratic House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn sailed to reelection in the May 8 Ohio primary.

In the Ohio House District 42 race, Antani beat Republican challengers Sarah Clark and Marcus Rech, winning ​63 percent of Republican ballots cast.

Antani goes on to face Democrat Zach Dickerson in the November general election.

Dickerson took 56 percent of the Democratic ballots against challenger Wright State University student Autumn Kern.

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. 

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

In the election for his seat in Ohio House District 39, Strahorn won in a landslide against opponent Walter James Hickman, Jr., taking 80 percent of the vote.

Strahorn has served in the Ohio Legislature since 2001. He’s currently a member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.

Hickman previously ran unsuccessfully for Dayton School Board in 2013.

No Republican candidates filed to run in yesterday’s primary.

District 39 includes the cities of Dayton, Oakwood, Moraine and Trotwood.

Jerry Kenney is an award-winning news host and anchor at WYSO, which he joined in 2007 after more than 15 years of volunteering with the public radio station. He serves as All Things Considered host, Alpha Rhythms co-host, and WYSO Weekend host.