Gayle Manning faces challenger Regan Phillips for 52nd Ohio House seat

Voters in Ohio's 52nd House District will have a choice between two candidates from North Ridgeville running to represent them in Columbus. First-time candidate Regan Phillips, a Democrat who works for Elyria City Council, is challenging incumbent Republican state Rep. Gayle Manning, a former two-term state senator and retired educator. Gayle Manning, 72 Party: Republican Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education, Kent State University. Master's degree in reading, University of Akron. Family: Widow of Jeffrey Manning. Daughter Allison and son-in-law Nick, three grandchildren. Son Nathan (the state senator for the 13th District), and daughter-in-law Jen. Job history: North Olmsted elementary school teacher for 37 years. Instructor at Lorain County Community College. State senator for eight years. State representative the last four years. Website: gaylemanning.com Regan Phillips, 49 Party: Democrat Education: Lorain County Community College Family: Husband Steve, children Angel and Steven. Job history: Executive administrative assistant, Elyria City Clerk of Council's office. Previously worked in the administration of former Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda. Website: electreganphillips.com What makes you the best candidate for the position? Manning: I am the best candidate for two reasons. First, my top priority is knowing what matters to the communities that I represent and I constantly engage with local officials and families in order to make their concerns heard in Columbus. Second, my record shows that I have been highly successful in translating local concerns into Statehouse action by passing bills designed to fix the problems that I hear about back home. I can work across the aisle when necessary, have been able to achieve meaningful results for Northeast Ohio, and am well poised to continue doing so. Phillips: I am immersed in my community and work side by side with the everyday people I serve. I consider myself a servant leader. For more than a decade, I have been involved in my community in various capacities. I understand the needs and complex issues that exist in our community, from mental health and substance abuse to youth advocacy and more. I believe in advocacy and giving voice to the issues requiring the attention of leaders in our community. I have integrity and sound judgment. I am a member of several meaningful, respected organizations throughout the county; the NRA is not one of them. I can provide fresh ideas, I will listen and work hard. What is the biggest challenge facing the state and how would you address it? Manning: Jobs and inflation are the biggest challenges facing the state. Since I first took office, we have transformed Ohio into a top destination to do business in, but we can always do more to help make sure that families are able to spend less time worrying around the kitchen table. I look forward to addressing these concerns by supporting common-sense bills that help create high-paying jobs and support local businesses, reduce growth-killing regulations, and put more money in the pockets of people in our communities while also helping every dollar go further. Phillips: I believe that we all want our families, schools and communities to be safe. We want to ensure our children are safe when we send them to school. We cannot allow people to bring weapons of war into our communities. I will pass laws that reflect how precious and irreplaceable the children in our communities are to us. I will work with community partners that are focused on programs that teach youth skills that lessen gun violence. Elyria is implementing great police training; I would work for increased funding to bring that training to other cities. I would implement an initiative where social workers accompany first responders on mental health crisis calls.