SOUTH POINT- A South Point man said he plans to file papers in Scioto County this week in a 2004 bid for Ohio's 89th District House Of Representatives seat, which is now filled by State Representative Todd Book.

Richard Holt, 23, said his main focus would be on economic development.

"Southern Ohio has been sitting here too long without good representation," Holt said. "People in the area are eager to take part in economic development, but one of the problems is that we don't have someone in Columbus working and making phone calls and taking an initiative. Do-nothing politicians - that's my biggest problem."

Holt complimented the work done by local government and business officials in attracting Duke Energy and other new business in the area, but lamented that local officials had to work largely on their own, and should have had greater assistance from elected officials in Columbus.

"I think both Democrats and Republicans here are doing a decent job, but they need a little help in this from Columbus," Holt said.

Holt, a senior history major at Ohio University Southern, would be making his first attempt at elective office. He is married to Virginia Holt; they have a 13-month-old daughter.