Steve Austria Announces Candidacy for Congress

SENATOR STEVE AUSTRIA ANNOUNCES HIS BID FOR
7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Beavercreek - Following Congressman Dave Hobson’s announcement that he does not intend to seek re-election for Congress, Senator Steve Austria, (Republican - 10th district) Majority Whip of the Ohio Senate, announced his intention to run for the seat in 2008 with Hobson’s support.

“While no one can ever replace Dave Hobson in Congress, I believe that my service in the Ohio Legislature and in leadership positions over the past nine years has provided me with a great training ground to begin my campaign for U.S. Congress,” Austria said.

Senator Austria currently represents the 10th senate district, a seat previously held by Congressman Dave Hobson, Merle Kearns, and former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine. The senate district includes all of Greene and Clark counties, the two most populated counties in the Seventh Congressional district. The congressional district includes all or part of Clark, Greene, Fayette, Ross, Pickaway, Fairfield, Franklin and Perry counties.

“Dave Hobson has been a friend and a mentor to me for many years. His record and accomplishments in public service speaks for itself, Senator Austria stated. “I look forward to receiving his guidance, support and assistance on my campaign.”

Steve Austria has served as the Senate Majority Whip for the past three years and was first elected as state representative in 1998 before capturing the Ohio Senate seat in 2000 and again in 2004. He has been chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Economic Development and Aerospace Technology committees in addition to being a member of the Senate Finance Committee for the past several years. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation committee. Prior to his service in the Ohio Legislature, Senator Austria was a small businessman and financial advisor.

A few of Austria’s legislative accomplishments include championing the safety and welfare of children in Ohio by authoring both “Jessica’s Law” and the “Adam Walsh Act” and going after sex offenders who try to prey upon our children over the internet and in person. He was also heavily involved in both tax and tort reform in the Ohio Senate and tried to create a more positive atmosphere to keep and attract more jobs in Ohio. Furthermore, he has been a strong advocate for both Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard Base and has helped secure funding to support both institutions. He is currently working on legislation, which would protect the privacy of Veterans’ identity on the Internet in addition to introducing the Elderly Safety Protection Act in Ohio.

“As we move forward in this campaign, I look forward to listening to the concerns of people throughout the district, discussing my views and legislative track record with them. I will work very hard to earn the trust and respect of the voters. I do not take lightly the integrity of the office or in the footsteps I hope to follow.” Senator Austria concluded.

Steve Austria has been married to his wife, Eileen for 21 years. They reside in Beavercreek with their three sons, Brian – 17, Kevin – 15 and Eric – 12 years of age.