By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two Republicans are facing off in the March 19 primary election for the Ohio House of Representatives seat that covers most of Wood County.
Incumbent Haraz Ghanbari and Sally Culling, both of Perrysburg, are vying for the District 75 seat. The winner of the primary election will face Democrat Jan Materni, also of Perrysburg, in the general election in November.
Ghanbari did not respond to multiple phone messages from BG Independent News.
Culling, an immigrant from England, moved to the U.S. 20 years ago, then to Perrysburg about 10 years ago. She decided to run for state representative after being disappointed with Ghanbari’s actions.
“I saw a huge lack of leadership,” she said. “He’s repeatedly let down Wood County.”
Appointed to his seat by then House speaker Larry Householder, Ghanbari co-sponsored House Bill 6, “the most corrupt bill in Ohio history,” and voted for the biggest tax increase in Ohio history, Culling said.
So Culling decided, “I’m going to step up and do it myself.”
Culling described herself as a pro-life conservative who believes in less regulation for businesses, and in taxpayer money being used to support all types of education.
“I am not against public education, but I’m also not against best outcomes,” she said.
“I want to empower parents” to have choices of public, private or parochial schools, so their children can fulfill their potential.
“It’s a ridiculous argument that government money can’t go to private things. Every single day, the government spends money on private things,” she said.
Culling said she has knocked on nearly 7,000 doors while campaigning – and the primary concerns expressed by area residents include illegal immigration, the economy and food prices.
She also has concerns about illegal immigrants. “I know what a privilege and honor it is to be an American,” she said.
Culling said she shares the feelings of Wood Countians.
“I want an economy that works for everyone,” she said.
And that means the state should not be heavy-handed and micro-manage businesses.
“What businesses really, really need is predictability,” she said. They need a well trained workforce, fewer regulations and lower taxes. “Government needs to be extremely judicious and needs to be small.”
As for abortion rights, Culling said she knocked on doors last fall to campaign against Issue 1, which passed and enshrined the reproductive rights for Ohio women.
“I’m always going to stand by my values,” she said. But she added, “I don’t think we can spit in the face of voters. We have to honor voters.”
