Ohio lawmaker Stivers to run for Congress

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Republican state Sen. Steve Stivers said Monday he will run for Ohio's open 15th Congressional District seat in the 2008 election.

"I've decided to run for Congress because I think we really need change in Washington," said Stivers, R-Arlington. "There is way too much bickering and not enough working together to get things done."

Stivers held a news conference at the Ohio Republican Party headquarters to announce his candidacy for the seat held for eight terms by fellow Republican Deborah Pryce, who unexpectedly announced in August her intention not to seek re-election, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

He added he is excited to run against Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, a Democrat who narrowly lost to Pryce in 2006.

Franklin County Republican Party Chairman Doug Preisse said Sunday he is happy Stivers is running in the 15th District, which includes most of Columbus, western Franklin County and all of Union and Madison counties.

"The complexion of the campaign has just changed overnight," Preisse said.