AMHERST — Democrats plan to name Amherst City Councilman Terry Traster as their candidate in the race to replace state Rep. Thomas Heydinger.

Heydinger, D-Norwalk, announced last month that he wouldn’t run in November. The former Huron County juvenile and probate judge was appointed in May to fill former state Rep. Matt Barrett’s seat after Barrett resigned in disgrace.

Phil Saken, communications director for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, said Traster is expected to be formally named as the candidate in an upcoming joint meeting of Democratic Party leaders from Lorain, Huron and Seneca counties. The district includes all of Huron County and part of Lorain and Seneca counties.

Traster said he still has to meet with the party leader in Seneca County and receive the official nod, but he plans to form his campaign committee today and wants the rest of the formalities out of the way by the end of the week so he can begin campaigning.

Traster, 51, said he spent 10 years as 1st Ward councilman in Amherst before becoming an at-large councilman during last year’s election. He is the construction manager for the Amherst Historical Society and also works with Main Street Amherst.

Married with four children, Traster said he wants to focus on improving the state’s economy and creating jobs. He also wants to work closely with Gov. Ted Strickland and other Democrats.

“They’re a team, and I want to join that team,” he said.

Traster will face Republican Terry Boose, a former Huron County commissioner, in November.

The race may not be easy. The district leans heavily Republican, particularly in Huron and Seneca counties, and Traster will have only three months to get his name out in the sprawling district.

Saken said Democrats are aware of the problems and plan to do what they can to help Traster win.

“It’ll be a fast campaign, but we’ll give him a lot of support,” he said.

Traster said he’s looking forward to the challenge.

“I like it when the chips are down,” he said.

Boose was hesitant to say Traster’s late entry into the campaign would give him an advantage.

“It can change in an instant,” he said.

Boose said he knows little about Traster, but he doesn’t plan to take anything for granted.

“You never know who’s going to win until all the votes are counted,” he said.

Traster wasn’t the only candidate considered. Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Frank Janik, who also had vied to replace Barrett, backed out of consideration citing other obligations.

Heydinger, who was chosen for the post over several other candidates in May, said in July that he was leaving the race, partly because of health concerns.

Barrett, D-Amherst, resigned in April after a police investigation determined that he was responsible for the images of topless women that he accidentally displayed to a Norwalk High School government class during an October presentation.

Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

 

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