The filing deadline to run in Ohio's upcoming primary election was Wednesday, and two of the candidates who have vied for State Representative Michael O'Brien's seat representing the state's 64th District submitted their petitions. 

Democrats Vince Peterson and Bria Bennett both made their bids official. Petersen had previously been a Constituent Liason for Congressman Tim Ryan, while Bennett had been a part of the group whom successfully sued the Ohio Redistricting Committee over unconstitutional gerrymandering. 

Bennett, who grew up in Trumbull County and has volunteered for presidential campaigns in the past, said she'd like to address issues in the county like eliminating food deserts and expanding the local workforce.

"I just hope to have a different perspective," Bennett remarked. "Coming from a different part of Warren, coming from a different generation. Being a little bit younger, Having maybe a different work ethic, having different research tools. I mean, we've come so far in the world and as a young democrat, having that blue wave, or that young wave of young democrats, I just want to ride that."

Her new opponent in the race grew up right down the road. Petersen attended Howland High School before getting a criminal justice degree from Villanova. He said he wants to address three main things: infrastructure, economic development and education.

"If you're like me, I've got two young kids," Petersen said. "You want to make sure that future is bright because when they graduate school, selfishly I definitely want them to come back home, so that means we've got to put some work in those areas now."

The Ohio Primary Elections will take place on Tuesday, May 3 and the deadline for citizens have until 30 days before then to register to vote.