Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce (R) will take retiring Rep. Steven LaTourette’s (R) spot on the November ballot in Ohio’s 14th district.

Local Republican officials picked Joyce as their new Republican nominee today, a decision that virtually assures he will come to Congress in January.

LaTourette declared he would forgo re-election two weeks ago, prompting local officials to select a replacement nominee for the northeastern Ohio district. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported their unanimous decision to pick Joyce.

Even though this Northeastern Ohio district could be competitive, Democrats have virtually no chance of winning this seat because the are saddled with a lackluster nominee. Accountant Dale Virgil Blanchard, who has reportedly run for Congress 10 times, won the Democratic nomination in March, long before LaTourette decided to call it quits. Democrats do not view Blanchard’s candidacy as competitive this November.

Roll Call rates this race as Safe Republican.