Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, has set the special election to replace former Speaker John A. Boehner for June 7, 2016, according to The Associated Press.  

A primary for the seat will be held on March 15, which coincides with the Buckeye State’s presidential primary.  

Boehner resigned from Congress last week, after passing the speaker’s gavel to Paul D. Ryan. He leaves vacant the 8th District — a safe Republican seat located in southwestern Ohio.  

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried the district by a 26-point margin in 2012, meaning the March 15 Republican primary will almost certainly produce Boehner’s successor.  

A handful of candidates have already declared bids for the district. They include state Sen. Bill Beagle, a Dayton-area legislator first elected in 2010, and state Rep. Tim Derickson, who first won his seat in 2008.  

Some big names are also floating out there , including former Rep. Steve Austria, who still has $218,000 in cash on hand after leaving Congress in 2012. state Sen. Chris Widener is also mulling a bid.  

Two big names have passed on a run: Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones and state Senate President Keith Faber both said they will not wage bids.  

Related:

Roll Call Race Ratings Map: Ratings for Every House and Senate Race in 2016


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