Ohio House Health Committee Chair Scott Lipps will face primary challenge in May

Rep. Scott Lipps, who found himself at the heart of Ohio's vaccine mandate fight, now faces a Republican primary challenger.

Lipps, the chair of the Ohio House Health Committee, will face a Clearcreek Township trustee in the Republican primary this May.  

Lipps, of Franklin, has overseen battle after battle over vaccine mandates. He allowed Dr. Sherri Tenpenny to testify about how COVID-19 vaccines can magnetize people, though he later said that was over his objections.

More:Text messages show Ohio lawmakers’ behind-the-scenes effort to push anti-vaccine mandate bill

He currently represents Ohio House District 62, but the district could look different by the time of the election. The legislative maps are currently under review by the Ohio Supreme Court

Lipps will run against Steve Muterspaw, who is currently serving his third term as Clearcreek Township trustee.

Muterspaw is the director of outreach for Trinity Debt Management, a personal finance company. He also taught high school science for 15 years, according to his campaign Facebook page. 

Muterspaw did not respond to The Enquirer's three calls and one email asking why he wants to run for the seat. 

The primary winner will face Democratic candidate Paul Zorn, who owns Peace Angel farm, a garlic and seasonal berry farm in Morrow.

Zorn declined to respond to The Enquirer's questions about why he decided to run for office, saying it is "way too early." 

Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn's work, you can donate to her Report For America position at this website or email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work. 

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