XENIA — The candidates running for the office of State Rep for District 71 believe the rise in property taxes is a major concern facing the district.

Long time Xenia resident Levi Dean — who has had a seat on Xenia City Council since 2018 — is looking to take the spot currently filled by his father, Bill, who is term-limited.

Dean currently works for his family’s business, Dean’s Plumbing.

“Being a business owner and a councilman, I realize there’s a lot of freedom at the state level to get things accomplished — state laws can determine the outcome of what happens in people’s lives,” said Dean, 29. “I want to be a voice that represents the district well. I enjoy trouble shooting and I have a blue collar background.”

If elected to a two-year term, Dean wants to work on cost-of-living concerns and rises in property tax. He would also like to see legislators make it easier for small business owners to start and run a business by getting rid of some of the road blocks.

Being newly married, he’s worried a lot of his time will be spent “on the road” driving to Columbus and back while the House is in session.

“I would have to drive there two to five days a week when they’re in session,” said Dean, who added however the election turns out, he’ll still be in the plumbing business that his father started years ago.

Yellow Springs resident Krista Magaw has never run for public office but has lobbied at the state and federal level. She has a wish list of sorts of what she would hope to accomplish or initiate in her two-year term if elected.

“I always try to participate in county planning processes,” Magaw said. “I would like the legislature to be more responsive to the people of our district. I feel like they haven’t paid enough attention to small towns and counties. As a former Tecumseh Land Trust director, I would also like to see the local government increase funds to cover infrastructure improvement costs at the municipal level and lesson the reliance on local property tax.”

Magaw, 69, grew up in eastern Ohio and has lived in many small towns. She is married to Andrew Carlson and has a grown daughter, Anna.

“I want to improve the quality of lives of people in small towns and rural counties,” she said. “I’d like to see better performing local schools, better paying jobs, and better access to health care. As an advocate for mental health services, I worked in state and county government to help create the best possible lives for people.”

District 71 covers Xenia, Clifton, Yellow Springs and the eastern part of Greene County and parts of Clark and Clinton counties.

Reach Karen Rase at 937-502-4534.