Let's meet the candidates

The field of candidates for federal and state offices is shaping up after the Friday, March 15, filing deadline. Once the filings are known, it's off we go to November. It is an exciting time for those interested in our politics.

Democrat Christina Bohannan was to file her nominating petitions for U.S. House in District 1 at the Secretary of State's office last week. She will face the winner of a two-way primary between Republican candidates Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and newcomer David Pautsch. We won't know the final match up until after the June 4 primary.

Democrat Ed Chabal, chief financial officer of the Mount Pleasant Community School District, filed his petitions for State Senator in District 46 on March 5. Incumbent Republican Dawn Driscoll filed for re-election in February.

House District 91 is an open race with two Republicans in the primary so far (Mayor Adam Grier of Williamsburg and Lawyer Judd Lawler of Oxford).

As I submitted this letter, Democrats were collecting petition signatures for a candidate, with plans to file before the deadline. There is a lot to learn about these candidates.

How do we learn about candidates in 2024?

For me, living at the far eastern border of the legislative districts, it is all about shaking their hands and getting to know them with a short conversation. I expect civility and concern for the needs of everyone in the district.

Here's hoping we have a chance to see all these candidates throughout the districts before the June primary.

Paul Deaton, Solon