Terry Anderson weighs run for office

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Terry Anderson, a retired journalism professor and former Middle East hostage, said Tuesday he's strongly considering a run for state Senate.
Anderson, 56, of Athens, said he's concerned about Republican lawmakers' policies and wants to serve as a voice for the people of southeast Ohio in Columbus.
Anderson, who runs a horse ranch and owns restaurants in the Athens area, said he'll decide for sure later this month whether to run next year for the 20th District Senate seat.
The seat's most recent occupant, Jim Carnes of St. Clairsville, resigned earlier this month to take a job with the Department of Natural Resources. Carnes, who had a year left in office, can't run again because of term limits.
If he runs, Anderson would face an appointee to the seat running for a full four-year term in November. That seat has not been filled.
Joy Padgett, a former House lawmaker and currently director of Gov. Bob Taft's Office of Appalachian Ohio, is pursuing the Republican nomination and plans to apply to fill Carnes' seat in the interim.
Padgett, of Coshocton, declined to comment on Anderson's candidacy Tuesday.