GALLIPOLIS — John A. Carey plans to run for the seat that first put him in contact with decision-making on the legislative level.

Carey, currently state senator for the 17th District, will run in 2010 for state representative in the 87th House District of Gallia, Jackson, Vinton, and eastern Lawrence and Ross counties.

Clyde Evans, a Rio Grande Republican who now represents the 87th District, is running for Carey’s seat in the Senate. Carey, a Wellston Republican, served in the House from 1995 until 2002, when he was elected to the Senate.

Due to term limits, Carey cannot seek a third consecutive term in the Senate.

“I look forward to continue to represent the people of the 87th House District,” Carey said. “I will continue to work for policies that will lead to jobs, the best education possible and a state government that is efficient and responsible to the people it serves.”

Carey has served as chairman of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee for the past three legislative sessions. He was chairman of the House Finance Committee in the latter portion of his career as state representative.

“I believe that with my experience I can best serve the constituents of the 87th District,” he said. “It is important to have the experience and background to fight what is right for families and taxpayers in this region and across Ohio.”

Carey listed among his accomplishments the creation of the Home First program, allowing seniors to return their homes from nursing homes with necessary support; rewrote laws surrounding fireworks following the 1996 incident at a Scottown fireworks store; creation of the Silver Alert for missing seniors; and the Gold Star license plate to honor fallen heroes.

He is best-known for his efforts in job creation, such as ensuring that each rural county in the state has a marketable industrial site.

Carey and his wife Lynley are the parents of two sons, Justin and Jordan, both students in the Wellston City Schools.