COLUMBUS Lawmaker says he will seek seat in state Senate

The minority leader said he won't take sides in the race.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A Belmont County state lawmaker says he will run next year for the state Senate seat held by Minority Leader Gregory L. DiDonato, D-Dennison.
State Rep. Charles A. Wilson Jr., D-St. Clairsville, said Wednesday he will file nominating petitions for the seat within the next two weeks.
Wilson, 60, a four-term state representative, said he has the experience to serve constituents in the Senate district that covers all of Belmont, Columbiana, Harrison and Jefferson counties and a portion of Tuscarawas County.
Under voter-passed term limits, state representatives are limited to four consecutive two-year terms, while state senators are limited to two consecutive four-year terms.
No position
DiDonato, whose term limits expire next year, said he is not taking a position on Wilson's candidacy because another Democrat, former state Rep. Jerry Krupinski of Jefferson County, has indicated an interest in running for the Senate seat, setting up a possible primary contest. Krupinski couldn't be reached to comment.
DiDonato said the district is 56 percent to 60 percent Democratic.
Republicans hold commanding majorities in both chambers.
Wilson, a former assistant House minority leader, said he anticipates raising $200,000 for his Senate bid.
Wilson is a businessman with furniture stores, funeral homes and development holdings in eastern Ohio and West Virginia.
The filing deadline for the November 2004 elections is in early January.