WARREN — State Rep. Mike Loychik, who was facing a challenger in the Republican primary for reelection, instead filed to run for state senator – pitting him against Sandra O’Brien, the GOP incumbent.

Loychik, R-Bazetta, serving his second two-year term in the Ohio House, turned in petitions Monday at the Trumbull County Board of Elections to run for the 32nd Ohio Senate District seat. O’Brien, R-Lenox, serving her first four-year term in the state Senate, also filed her petitions Monday with the board of elections.

In a prepared statement, Loychik wrote: “I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines and seeing a lack of representation in the 32nd State Senate District. As your state representative, I have championed bills to protect the Second Amendment, provide transparency in our schools and provide for economic growth. I want to bring our district together and fight for an America first, Ohio first agenda.”

O’Brien declined to comment Monday on Loychik’s filing.

But said she has been an extremely effective legislature, “bring back as much state tax dollars to the district as I could.”

O’Brien said she has accomplished a lot in her first three years in office.

O’Brien added she is proud she was able to convince her fellow Republican state senators to restore $3 million to the state budget to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport that is being used to leverage greater federal dollars for needed improvements.

O’Brien also pointed to getting the Ohio Department of Transportation to permit the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office to use recycled asphalt grindings to resurface the county fairgrounds. The county fairgrounds used 5,000 tons of recycled asphalt grindings that were milled off area highways and created new paved roads throughout the fairgrounds.

“I’m so pleased with all of my accomplishments and look forward to more,” O’Brien said.

For the full story pick up a copy of Tuesday’s edition of the The Vindicator.