OH-7: Businessman Dave Woolever (D) to Challenge Hobson (R)

Dave Woolever (D-Stoutsville), owner and operator of Peppy's Pizza in Circleville, Ohio, has announced that he will challenge Rep Dave Hobson (R-Springfield) in the 7th Ohio Congressional District. Pledging to focus his campaign on the war in Iraq, the economy, and constituent services, Woolever says that "as a small business owner and a life long resident of this district, I know the challenges faced by those who are the life blood of this country. This campaign will be all about a change in direction for the seventh district, the State of Ohio and the nation." Calling Hobson a "rubberstamp for lobbyists," Woolever points out on his web site that Hobson has received $136,7220 from the oil and gas industry and $171, 815 from the drug companies and asks, "What have they gotten for their money?"

Woolever is a graduate of Logan Elm schools and has studied at Bliss College and Ohio University. He worked for Ranco Controls in Plain City, Ohio, until his job was outsourced to Mexico, and then at Thompson Consumer Electronics in Circleville. He purchased Peppy's Pizza in 1995. He belongs to the National Rifle Association, the American Motorcyclist Assocation, and the National Hot Rod Association. As a former union member Woolever says he is "a proud supporter of organized labor."

It has been rumored that Hobson may retire, and that State Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) would be the GOP-endorsed candidate for the seat. However, Hobson has recently stated that he will in fact run for re-election. Frequent candidate John Mitchel (R-Beavercreek) has announced that he will challenge Hobson in the GOP primary, and Hobson's 2006 Democratic opponent, engineer and USAF veteran William R. Conner (D-Beavercreek), has confirmed that he is running again.