Official: Ohio lawmaker Luckie drops out of race amid inquiry

CINCINNATI — CINCINNATI An Ohio lawmaker withdrew from running for re-election Friday, a day after a prosecutor said he was the subject of an investigation.

State Rep. Clayton Luckie, a Dayton Democrat who had been running for a fourth term in office, submitted a letter dropping out of the race to the Montgomery County Board of Elections without giving a reason, said Mark Owens, chairman of the county's Democratic Party.

Luckie, who remains a state representative, issued a statement Thursday saying the investigation is related to "errors on some reports that are currently being addressed."

"I think it was an emotional thing," Owens said of Luckie's decision. "I think it was a very difficult decision for him to make and a brave one. ? To take this investigation out of the race gives us the best chance of holding that seat and having his constituents be served by someone that would best represent them in Columbus."

Owens said that a meeting would be held in Dayton on Sunday to pick a replacement to run for Luckie's seat, adding that two people have expressed interest: former state lawmakers Fred Strahorn and Rhine McLin.

Whoever is chosen will run against Iraq War veteran and Republican Jeff Wellbaum, of Kettering.

On Thursday, Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien said in a statement that Luckie was under investigation. He didn't specify any allegations.

Before becoming a state representative, Luckie was on the Dayton Public School Board from 1996 to 2006.

He currently serves on the powerful state controlling board, which oversees capital and operating expenditures by Ohio agencies.

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