State rep seeks final term

TIFFIN — State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) is seeking his fourth and final term in the state legislature, creating a contested Republican primary. The Sandusky County Board of Elections certified candidate petitions Tuesday afternoon, confirming that Click will face Republican challenger Eric Watson in the May 5 primary election. According to Seneca County Board of Elections Director Lori Elchert, Sandusky County is responsible for certifying petitions for state representative candidates due to Sandusky County having the larger population. Click, who is currently serving his third term in the House, emphasized that his final campaign would focus on continuity and finishing legislative priorities for Seneca and Sandusky counties. "I can't limit it to one piece of legislation," Click said regarding his goals for a final term. "My goal remains the same: to represent the values of Seneca and Sandusky Counties." "I always run through the tape," Click added. "I want to finish strong, saying that I left it all on the field." In his announcement, Click pointed to his work on the House Ways and Means Committee, specifically highlighting approximately $3 billion in property tax relief. He told The Advertiser-Tribune that homeowners should expect to see a significant decrease in the second half of their 2026 property tax bills. Addressing concerns about how tax cuts might affect local school districts, Click noted that he supported securing $130 million to "keep schools whole" during the transition. "The $130 million will buy them time to readjust their budgets and account for some of the reduction through attrition," Click said. Click also outlined new legislative proposals, including the "ICE Act," a measure intended to align Ohio law with federal immigration statutes and regulate protest activities involving public resources. "The intent of the ICE Act is to keep both protestors and law enforcement as safe as possible while ensuring that public funds are not misused to provide training that risks the lives of both," Click told The A-T. Additionally, Click discussed House Bill 613, a bill for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce aimed at reducing audit appeal times for small businesses - and House Bill 484, which targets childcare access issues in the district. Regarding education, Click pushed back against criticisms regarding his support for school choice, stating that he supports both public education funding and alternative options. "Suggesting that I have to choose which one to support is like saying that I have to choose which one of my four sons I have to support," Click said. "I support them all." Click's certification sets the stage for a primary battle against Watson, who is running on an "America First" platform and has criticized Click's voting record on digital privacy. When asked about facing a challenger running to his right, Click dismissed the idea that his record is not conservative enough, stating that the district rejects "conspiracy theories and extremism." "Better call 911 — you've crossed the median, flown off the shoulder and landed in a ditch," Click joked regarding the primary challenge. Click stated he has secured endorsements from U.S. Rep. Bob Latta and U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno. With petitions now certified, the field is set. Click and Watson will compete for the Republican nomination on May 5. The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election to face Democrat Aaron Jones, who is running unopposed for his party's nomination.