COLUMBUS — House Republicans have chosen John Schlichter, the brother of former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter, to take on Democratic state Rep. Joseph Sulzer Nov. 5 in his Southwest Ohio district.

        John Schlichter, 44, won the endorsement of majority House Republicans to replace Rep. Dennis Stapleton on the fall ballot. Mr. Stapleton, a House member since 1996, took his name off the ballot last month so he could devote more time to his investment business.

        Mr. Sulzer's district lines were redrawn by the GOP-controlled State Apportionment Board to make the district more favorable to Republicans.

        “I'm very excited about the campaign,” Mr. Schlichter said Tuesday. “When Dennis stepped away, it gave me an opportunity to step forward.”

        Mr. Schlichter, a farmer, has served as a Fayette County commissioner for four years. He and his wife, Debbie, have three children.

        His younger brother, Art, was a quarterback for Ohio State from 1979 to 1982, then went on to the Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts. The National Football League suspended him in 1983 for gambling. He is serving a prison sentence on forgery and theft charges.

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