For first time, Libertarian primary to take place in Ohio’s first congressional district

From Cincinnati.com:

Libertarians Jared Croxton and Jim Berns both want to run for the 1st Congressional District seat held by Democrat Steve Driehaus. It’s the only contested race in Southwest Ohio for any of Ohio’s four minor parties – Libertarian, Constitution, Green and Socialist.

This is the first year minor parties have been allowed to participate in the Primary Election thanks to a 2008 Ohio Appeals Court ruling and a 2009 directive by the Ohio Secretary of State.

First-time candidate Croxton, 27, a financial analyst who grew up in Finneytown and lives in Price Hill, got into the race first. “I was hoping there would be a third-party candidate I would vote for,” he said. When no one threw their name in, the Ohio Libertarian Party suggested he run, he said. He hasn’t campaigned much and didn’t mind when Berns joined him on the ballot.

“The more the merrier,” he said, noting that those who know and trust him will vote for him.

Berns, 62, of College Hill is a seasoned campaigner. Berns, who at once chaired the Hamilton County Libertarian Party, has run unsuccessfully for office nine times before, including two bids for Congress.

Berns said he’s possibly “more prepared,” for a campaign than Croxton and notes he has “a knack for getting media attention.” Since March Berns has participated in two small protests outside of or near Driehaus’ home to object to the congressman’s support of President Barack Obama’s health care bill. Berns held a rally Mondayin Hamilton to protest speeding ticket cameras there. Berns, a supervisor at the University of Cincinnati’s architecture department has also been featured in the Enquirer for his side job as the area’s only pet detective.