Ney's Replacement May Be Ineligible To Run

Leading Ney replacement may be ineligible; Ohio law may complicate GOP plans in choosing party's nominee

The leading Republican candidate to replace scandal-scarred Rep. Bob Ney on the November ballot may be ineligible to run, party officials said Tuesday, complicating GOP efforts to assure a smooth transition for the fall campaign.

State Sen. Joy Padgett was a losing contender for lieutenant governor in Ohio's Republican primary earlier this year, and a state law bars politicians who lose one primary from entering another one during the same year.

One Republican strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said lawyers had concluded Padgett was likely covered by the law and thus would not be eligible to run.

Padgett, already campaigning, sounded surprised. "As far as I know I have a green light. If this were the case, it's something I need to know about," she said. "Yesterday, everything was rolling forward."

She said she would quickly consult with party officials.