Michael E. O’Hara withdraws as a Democratic candidate in the 58th Ohio House District

YOUNGSTOWN

Michael E. O’Hara of Youngstown withdrew today as a Democratic candidate in the 58th Ohio House District.

That leaves state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, also of Youngstown, as the only Democrat running for that spot on the March 15 ballot.

The Mahoning County Democratic Party overwhelmingly endorsed Lepore-Hagan earlier this month for re-election to her second two-year term.

O’Hara finished third out of four Democrats two years ago for this seat when there wasn’t an incumbent running. Democrat Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, Lepore-Hagan’s husband, couldn’t seek re-election in 2014 because of the state’s term-limits law.

After winning the 2014 Democratic primary, Lepore-Hagan faced no opposition in the general election.

That won’t be the case this year.

Corrine L. Sanderson of Youngstown filed to seek the seat as a Republican. Sanderson filed in December, a month after she was elected to a seat on the Youngstown school board. She started serving on the board Jan. 1.