Republican Takeover In The 6th? It’s Not Going To Happen.
You may have already heard about this, but there is in fact a Republican challenger running in the 6th district.
Stobbs, a Vietnam veteran, said in past interviews with The Messenger that his biggest issues were veterans’ rights and the economy. Stobbs is a retired Belmont County sheriff, who received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio University and his master’s of science administration from Central Michigan University. According to his Web site from the 2006 election, he has been active in the Columbus and St. Clairsville Jaycees, Rotary International, American Society of Industrial Security, a life member of the National Rifle Association, the Republican National Committee and the Ohio Gun Collectors.
Now let’s be realistic about this, the man has very little chance of being elected. If you need proof of that just look at the 2006 election. In that race he wasn’t even considered the best Republican in the race and the man that beat him went on to do mediocre in the general election. In fact, Stobbs came in fourth! So to be blunt, this man was already beat by three losers. When you add in the limited resources that Republicans have this time around and the number of seats they’re fighting just to hold, my point becomes even clearer.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I agree. But — don’t tell Rep. Wilson! I want him to campaign as if he’s got something to be frightened about.
Interesting that the guy who finished third in the 2006 GOP congressional primary, just ahead of Stobbs, is now running against Wilson’s son Jason in the 30th Ohio Senate District - Tim Ginter.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
When the paper says retired sheriff do they mean he held the office or that he’s retired from the sheriff’s office?
Second, Jeff, Wilson isn’t sweating this race and shouldn’t. The Sixth Congressional District’s demographics, I believe, fit Wilson better than it did Strickland.
This guy came in dead last in the Republican primary. He was only “competitive” in three of the counties. Two of them, Noble and Meigs, are probably the least populated counties in the district.
I don’t see a race beyond the mere fact that it’s not uncontested here. Not that the GOP seriously gave Blasdel any assistance beyond Matt Dole’s hyping the race.
I think unless the district radicially changes or Wilson does something truly scandalous, this seat is his to keep as long as he likes. No real race here. Move along, move along.
(Surprised Nancy Hollister hasn’t tried to make a political comeback, though. Always thought she might run in Space’s district. I guess the GOP establishment has written her off ever since she lost her General Assembly seat, though.)
January 7th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
You could be right, but this will be a tough campaign for Wilson. He’s a freshman congressman, meaning that if he doesn’t win re-election, he’s done at the national level. If he wins re-election, then it will take years and decades to unseat him.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Jeff:
You amaze me. You’re all the way across the state but you know more about whats going on down here than 90% of the people that live here.
I also agree about campaigning. He’s safe, but why take chances.
Modern Esquire:
That’s a good question about his retirement, but I don’t have an answer for you right now
holywriter:
To put it simply, this race is in Wilson’s hands. As long as he doesn’t screw it up he shouldn’t have any trouble.