Melissa Ackison announces state Senate race

SANDUSKY — Marysville businesswoman and former U.S. Senate candidate Melissa Ackison announced Tuesday she's a Republican candidate in the 2020 race for the District 26 seat in the Ohio Senate.Ackison is running for a seat currently held by state Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, who must retire after next year because of term limits. Her announcement apparently sets up a GOP primary clash with state Rep. Bill Reineke, who announced last week that he is seeking the seat.The 26th district is in Sandusky, Seneca, Wyandot, Crawford, Morrow, Marion and Union counties.Ackison said her top issues will be creating jobs, promoting small business and strengthening vocational schools and skills training."As an independent business owner and mother of four boys, I know what it's like to struggle and make ends meet," she said in her announcement. "Our political climate in Columbus is in shambles," she said. "It seems these politicians get elected, get comfortable in Columbus, cozy up to lobbyists, and leave the hard-working men and women of this great state behind in the process. I will fight to brighten the path for you and your family."Ackison ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2018, coming in third behind Jim Renacci and Mike Gibbons. She is the co-owner of Ackison Surveying LLC. Her husband Rick Ackison is the president and CEO of the company. Melissa AckisonState Rep. Bill Reineke, a Republican businessman, is seeking another term in House District 88.