Municipal Court Judge Frederick “Fritz” Haney II has announced a desire to replace Representative Steve Arndt, 65, of Port Clinton, who decided in early May to retire July 31 after winning the 89th House District seat in November 2019.

Haney had decided against running for municipal court judge again. Long-time Ottawa County Magistrate Louis Wargo and attorney Michael Bassett are vying for Municipal Court judge on the November ballot.

According to the Ottawa County Republican Party, Haney and six others have already applied to replace Rep. Arndt. If Haney is selected, it is expected Gov. Mike DeWine would consider appointing Lou Wargo as Ottawa County Municipal Judge, said Ottawa County Republican Party chairman Jill Stinebaugh.

Six have applied for Arndt’s post, said Stinebaugh, and more applications may be coming this week.

The group already includes Attorney Douglas “DJ” Swearingen, the Erie County Republican Party Chairman; Caleb Stidham of Erie County, a legislative aide in Columbus; Sandusky businessman Jeff Krabill, a state representative in 2010 and long-time member of the Sandusky City School Board; Dan Frederick of Milan, a well-known architect and Milan Township Trustee; Quinton Babcock, a recent graduate of the University of Toledo and the mayor of Oak Harbor; and Attorney Nathan Daniels, vice chair of the Ottawa County Republican Party.

Applications for Arndt’s post must be made by today (May 30) to Speaker Larry Householder and the House Screening Committee. The local Republican Party will have little input, say insiders, on the final choice.