Independent candidate running for U.S. Senate seat

NEW LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — An electrical engineer from southwest Ohio says he is running as an Independent for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Senator George Voinovich.

The 41-year-old Eric Deaton of New Lebanon announced today that he has launched his campaign.

Deaton says both the Democratic and Republican parties have shown their inability to lead and that it is time to send working-class, citizen politicians to Washington.

Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman and northeast Ohio car dealer Tom Ganley are seeking the GOP nomination for Voinovich’s seat. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner seek the Democratic nomination.

New Lebanon is about 10 miles west of Dayton.