Ohio businessman to challenge Boccieri for U.S. House seat

WADSWORTH, Ohio (AP) — A Republican businessman and former mayor has filed initial paperwork to run for the U.S. House seat in the highly contested 16th Congressional district in northeast Ohio.

Jim Renacci is the former mayor of Wadsworth in suburban Akron and co-owner of the Columbus Destroyers arena football team. He says he filed Monday a federal statement of candidacy for the 2010 election.

Renacci will face first-term incumbent U.S. Rep. John Boccieri of Alliance, formerly of New Middletown, a Democrat who has been identified as a top target by the National Republican Campaign Committee.

Renacci also owns LTC Management Service, which owned and operated nursing homes until 2000. Renacci says his priority is creating jobs.