LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A former Republican state representative is aiming to return to Columbus to serve northwest Ohio.
He also believes Ohio should model a new initiative after a federal example by creating a state office of government efficiency.
Craig Riedel says he is ready to hit the ground running if elected as the 1st District State Senator. If elected to serve the 10-county district, he says he plans to focus on several key priorities, including eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the state and continuing support for the school choice vouchers program. Riedel also says one of his top priorities would be ending the state income tax.
“We do need to eliminate the state income tax. Okay, you know it disincentivizes people, it's a competitive thing. Why come to Ohio and work when I could be in Indiana or Tennessee and be able to keep the money that I work hard to make,” says Craig Riedel, running for the 1st District Senate seat in the 2026 Republican primary.
He also believes Ohio should model a new initiative after a federal example by creating a state office of government efficiency.
“I was part of three budgets when I was a state representative, and I saw the bloated spending, I saw the wasteful spending, I saw how inefficient state government could be, and we can do a much, much better job,” adds Riedel.
Riedel will appear on the 2026 primary ballot.
