A third Republican has entered the ring for the right to challenge freshman Rep. Zack Space (D) next year.

Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association, told the Coshocton Tribune on Tuesday that he would seek his party’s nomination in the 18th district.

Attorney Paul Phillips and former county magistrate Jeanette Moll are also seeking the GOP nomination.

Although the district, formerly represented by now-incarcerated ex-Rep. Bob Ney (R), is strongly Republican, Democrats believe Space is well-positioned to win a second term. Space refuses campaign contributions from lobbyists and has made lobbying reform a top priority in Congress.

“Congressman Space is an independent voice for his district who is changing the way business is done in Washington by standing up for tough ethics and lobbying reform, protecting our borders, and strengthening the local economy,” said Ryan Rudominer, a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman.
— Nicole Duran