DJ Swearingen named to represent Sandusky area in Ohio House

SANDUSKY — Douglas "DJ" Swearingen Jr. will take over on Aug. 1 as the new state representative for House District 89, representing Erie and Ottawa counties.Swearingen, an attorney who lives in Huron, is a Republican and will replace state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, who is retiring effective July 31.Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder announced Thursday the House Majority Caucus had selected Swearingen."I'm pleased to welcome Representative-elect Swearingen to our caucus," said Speaker Householder. "He is an accomplished attorney who has a lot of pride in his local community. He's actively involved in the 89th district and will serve his constituents well at the Statehouse.""I would like to thank my wife and my family for starting this journey with me," Swearingen said. "I would also like to thank the House leadership for this opportunity. It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed to serve as the Ohio State Representative for the 89th District.""Over the coming weeks and months, I very much look forward to building many more relationships with people in the community. I also am excited to discuss with all of the constituents their ideas and thoughts on how we can continue to make our district a great and prosperous place to live – where everyone has the opportunity to use their gifts and talents to pursue their life's ambition," he said.Swearingen is an attorney in Sandusky and Avon with the Wickens, Herzer, Panza law firm, concentrating on business and real estate matters. He's the chairman of the Erie County Republican Party and serves on the Erie County Election Board.Swearingen earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Bowling Green State University in 2009, where he also played on the baseball team, and then took a law degree in 2012 from the University of Dayton law school, where he ranked in the top 10 percent of the graduating class.Five others in Erie and Ottawa counties applied for the House District 89 seat, sending in resumes to a screening committee of lawmakers that Householder appointed.The other five are Sandusky school board member Jeff Krabill, Ottawa County Republican Party chairman Nathan Daniels, Ottawa County Municipal Court Judge Fritz Hany, Milan architect Dan Frederick and Oak Harbor Mayor Quinton Babcock.Douglas "DJ" Swearingen