By Wayne Allen

Wallen@

communitycommon.com

Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree, in an exclusive interview with the Community Common, is expected to announced his candidacy as a democrat for 89th district state representative on Monday, February 7. The position is currently being held by Todd Book who cannot run again due to term limitations.

"I've given a lot of thought to this (running for the 89th district), I've been approached numerous times, i've been asked by a number of people to do this. I have a tremendous amount of supporters behind me right now wanting me to do this," Crabtree said. "There are other issues to consider, and I have thought about everyone of them. It's about giving people a choice, and letting them decide who they want to represent them in Columbus."

"I feel like if I go to the state legislator its for the right reasons. I will not vote on any issue without considering first, what the effects of that would be on the people of the 89th district," Crabtree said.

He said if elected this would be a big move for him. He also said he has considered running for the 89th district in the past.

"A number of times in my life I have been given opportunities to do things that I feel could make a difference for the community. That's why I'm offering myself as a candidate," Crabtree said. "I am not here to attack anyone else who is interested in that position. I'm going to run a clean campaign. I know my own mind and if I go to the state legislature, it will not be for personal gain, it will not be for prestige and will not be for monntaty reasons, maybe I can make a difference, maybe I can make a positive difference for Scioto, Lawrence and Adams counties."

Crabtree said his campaign will be about the issues that face the district.

"I'm more than prepared to live with the result (of the primary election), whichever candidate wins in the primary I will be 100 percent behind. If it happens to be the other candidate then I will support him 110 percent, if it happens to be me I would hope it would go the other way," Crabtree said. "The decisions I am making as far as offering myself as a candidate to the 89th district, it's my decision. I have discussed it with (fellow Scioto County Commissioners) Tom (Reiser) and Skip (Riffe), I know they have concerns and they have not encouraged or discouraged me in anyway."

Crabtree will continue in his roll as a Scioto County Commissioner while on the campaign trail.

"My number one responsibility is here (as a Scioto County Commissioner). I am going to take care of my job first," Crabtree said. "I am not doing this to attack anyone, there is no vendettas involved here. This is just a decision that's been set in my lap. This is a once in a life time opportunity, to maybe make a difference."

Crabtree is expected to face Ron Hadsell in a Democratic primary. The top vote getter will move on to the November general election to face a republican challenger.