88th district candidates debate

TIFFIN — Candidates for Ohio's 88th House District addressed the influence of data centers and property tax reform during a public forum Wednesday, an event highlighted by the absence of the Republican incumbent. The forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Tiffin Area at Tiffin Middle School, featured Republican challenger Eric Watson and Democrat Aaron Jones. State Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, currently seeking his fourth term, did not attend, citing a scheduling conflict with the legislative session in Columbus. The Empty Chair and Legislative Priorities In a statement provided for this story, Click defended his absence by pointing to the legislative calendar. "I advised David Koehl that we have session on Wednesdays," Click stated, adding that the schedule is "publicly available information and widely known." Click maintained that his time was better utilized at the Statehouse. "My day was spent more productively working for my constituents and advancing my bipartisan bill (HB 646) to create the Ohio Data Center Study Commission which passed unanimously," he said. The bill successfully cleared the House floor on Wednesday, though it is worth noting it previously passed the House Technology and Innovation Committee by a divided 9-3 vote. Click further alleged a pattern of bias from the LWV. "This is not the first time LWV has excluded me," Click said. "That's not surprising since they have a history of partisanship, including suing the Republican Party in order to gerrymander in favor of giving (more) seats to the Democrats." The League countered these claims with internal records and a breakdown of the event's staff. David Koehl, an organizer authorized to speak for the Tiffin LWV, produced emails showing the first written invitation was extended to Click one month prior to the forum. According to those records, Click formally declined the invitation at 9:35 a.m. on the morning of the event. "We do not want to blow this out of proportion, but the public needs to be aware he was welcome to attend," Koehl stated. "I tried repeatedly, which I can document." Addressing the allegations of bias in a March 9 email to Click, Koehl noted that the moderator and timekeeper for the evening were both Republicans. Koehl also stated that the "voter service aspect of the LWV is separate from the issue advocacy section of the national organization." The Battle Over Data Centers The expansion of AI data centers in Seneca and Sandusky counties was a central topic at the forum. Watson, an entrepreneur, has made the growth of these facilities a primary campaign issue, alleging that "Big Tech" exerts undue influence at the state level. "We have big tech running our house right now at the state level," Watson said. He criticized Click for co-sponsoring legislation that Watson argues threatens digital privacy, reiterating that "communities are being forced" into accepting data centers by "armies of attorneys." Jones, a Tiffin City Councilmember and production supervisor at Toledo Molding & Die, focused on the strain these facilities place on local resources. He noted that Tiffin City Council recently passed a 12-month moratorium on data centers. "Data centers are an energy drain, they're an infrastructure drain, and unfortunately, do not produce many jobs that are of any value," Jones said. Taxation and Education Funding While data centers dominated the infrastructure debate, the candidates offered a sharp contrast on property taxes — a central issue in the 88th District. Watson doubled down on his proposal to abolish property taxes entirely, suggesting the revenue could be replaced by investigating state-level fraud and a slight increase in sales tax. "Ohio doesn't have a money problem; it has a spending problem," Watson noted. Jones pushed back on the feasibility of abolition, arguing it merely "shifts the burden" onto other taxes. "When the state does not fully fund schools, the financial burden shifts to local property owners through levies," Jones said. In his absence, Click's platform of "continuity" was represented by his legislative record. Click has previously touted his work on the House Ways and Means Committee, claiming approximately $3 billion in property tax relief for Ohioans and a $130 million fund to support schools during tax transitions. Workforce and Personal Stakes The conversation turned personal regarding the recently announced closure of Toledo Molding & Die. Jones, who has worked at the plant for 23 years, spoke directly to the uncertainty facing his 406 coworkers. "I know exactly what 406 other people are going through," Jones said. He advocated for job training and legislation to attract manufacturing back to "boom towns" like Tiffin and Fremont. Watson suggested that funds from programs like the Housing Choice Voucher Program should be prioritized for Ohioans to help families affected by such closures, while also stressing the need to support tradesmen and revitalize local industry. The Path to November Watson and Click will face off in the upcoming May 5 Republican primary. While Click has secured endorsements from high-profile Republicans like U.S. Rep. Bob Latta and U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, Watson's challenge from the right focuses on election integrity and digital privacy. With the Feb. 4 primary filing deadline having passed, Jones is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the seat. Voters in the 88th District will head to the polls on May 5 to determine the final matchup for the November general election.