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3 Democrats square off for Houseby Matt Hutton Voters will decide Tuesday what two candidates for the 92nd House District will be on the November ballot. Three candidates are running for the Democratic nomination: James Pancake, Dale Tampke and Eric Hasemeier. Jimmy Stewart is the only Republican running for the seat. James Pancake, 54, has lived in Athens all his life. He served as York Township Trustee President since he was elected in 1995 his only political experience. Before that he worked for American Electric Power Company. Pancake has raised $8,208 for his campaign. He spent $5,218 so far, leaving him with $2,989 for future campaigning. Most are small donations of $25 to $100 from within the district and rural parts of Athens County. Pancake did, however, receive $2,000 from Eugene Edwards, owner of Movies 10. “He’s a lifelong democrat,” said Mark Puskar, president of the College Democrats. “But if he won (the primary) he’d have to show us how he would run against Stewart and how he would run the campaign before we’d support him.” Puskar said the College Democrats endorsed Dale Tampke. A resident of Athens since 1994, Tampke, 42, sits on Athens City Council as a two-term incumbent. He ran against Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, in 1998. Tampke was a real estate agent before coming to Ohio University as director of assessment. “We really feel he’s the best candidate for the job and can really win in November,” said Puskar. “He’s a great leader with experience and integrity and we think he’d do a great job.” Tampke raised $23,727 in contributions and has a total of $24,634 for the campaign. He has spent $11,572 so far, leaving him with $13,062. Tampke received 20 out-of-state contributions — 13 were from Texas ranging from $50 to $2,500. Donations from within Ohio included $1,000 from Toledo Mayor Jack Ford. Hasemeier, the owner of On Call Medical Associates in Nelsonville, has generated the most funds for his campaign at $34,583. He donated $21,500 to himself, the remainder coming from about 50 other contributors. Many health care professionals, including 16 physicians and one dentist, support Hasemeier’s plan to advocate health care reform at the state level. “He’s a nice guy interested in improving health care in our region,” said John Brose, Dean of Osteopathic Medicine at OU and donor to Hasemeier’s campaign. Hasemeier worked with Brose during his yearlong stint as the associate dean of Osteopathic Medicine at OU Already assured a spot in the November election, Jimmy Stewart is running uncontested as the Republican nominee. Stewart, 32, served as Athens City Auditor and on Athens City Council. Before his public service, Stewart was a Caterpillar equipment salesman. Puskar said Stewart will be tough to beat, despite his lack of state-level experience. But district Republicans support the lone candidate. Stewart has raised $7,577 so far, but has spent only $85. All of Stewart’s funding has come from within the state — most in the form of $100 to $500 donations. “Jimmy is a hard worker. He knows when to buckle down and get work done,” said Kelly Garbo, president of the College Republicans. “He is young enough to relate to college age yet very mature and relates to the older constituents as well.” Susan Gwinn, county Democratic Party chairwoman, declined to comment on the candidates or the race until after the primary.
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