With Lorna J. Westlake withdrawing as the Democratic candidate for the 65th Ohio House District, John Barbo, Geneva City Council president and longtime high school science teacher, is replacing her on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Westlake, of Austinburg, was the lone Democrat to file for the seat. But Westlake said Wednesday she had to withdraw because of her husband’s medical condition.

“I have not been able to do anything with the campaign, so I withdrew,” Westlake said.

Barbo officially became the party’s nominee when his paperwork was filed late Tuesday with the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

Barbo was selected after being approached by Ashtabula County Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Hagan.

The 65th District includes much of Ashtabula County and large rural portions of Trumbull County, as well as Girard, Liberty, Hubbard, McDonald and Vienna.

Trumbull County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Alberini said he is enthusiastically supporting Barbo.

“He’s got a stellar record of education and community service,” Alberini said of Barbo. “We’re excited to have him on board. He’s very active. We wanted to make sure we had a good Democratic candidate in this contest.”

Barbo is serving his second term on Geneva City Council, including nearly four years as its president. He has spent 27 years as a science teacher at Geneva High School and is currently the science department chairman. Barbo also coaches football and basketball at the high school.

Barbo said he’s known Hagan for years and told her he was interested in the future in running for higher office.

The state representative position “was on my radar. I was looking to run for it in 2028. But when Lorna withdrew her nomination, we couldn’t let that seat go unopposed. I felt this was a great time to throw my hat into the ring.”

Barbo will face state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, a former Ashtabula County auditor who is serving his first term in the Ohio House.

Thomas is vice chairman of the House’s Ways and Means Committee and is the Republican point man on property tax reform. Seven bills sponsored by Thomas were signed into law in 2025, including five that dealt with property tax reform.

Thomas ran unopposed in the November 2024 general election.

The 65th District heavily leans in favor of Republicans.

Barbo said, “I clearly have my work cut out for me. But as a coach, that motivates me. I will get my message out. I entered the race late and at a disadvantage, so we’re scrambling to get my campaign ready. I anticipate we will be ready soon.”