By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PIERCE TOWNSHIP - Township Trustee Curt Hartman has announced plans to run for the General Assembly.

The two-term Republican will seek the seat being vacated by state Rep. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, who has plans to run for Senate.

Hartman, 38, is a self-described fiscal conservative who entered politics in 1997 when he ran for and won his position on the board of this western Clermont County township.

"I am committed to continue the dedication and service to the citizens within the 88th State House District," Hartman said.

He said he is also "committed to restraining government spending and opposing the all-too-quick reliance upon taxation to make up any shortfall in funds."

The native Clermont County resident, who runs his own law firm from his home, pledges to "advocate the protection of the unborn" and "defend steadfastly the Second Amendment as a right of the individual and will advocate strongly for legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons."

Hartman, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, got his law degree from Vanderbilt University. He is the son of former Clermont County Engineer Carl G. Hartman and West Clermont Board of Education member Barbara Hartman.

The district covers portions of Clermont, Adams and Brown counties.

Niehaus intends to run in 2004 for the Senate seat being vacated by Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester.

White, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, is leaving office because of term limits.

Besides Niehaus, others who have expressed interest in running include state Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, and Rose Vesper, a former state lawmaker who now works as Gov. Bob Taft's economic development representative for Southwest Ohio.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com