The second Republican wanting State Representative John Carey’s place in the statehouse filed his petitions at the Lawrence County Board of Elections’ office.

Bill Dingus, Lawrence Economic Development Corp. director, ended a week of speculation on whether he would run when he made it official Friday afternoon.

Last week, Carey, the Republican House Representative for the 87th District, announced he has accepted the post of assistant to the president of Shawnee State University. He begins his new job on Jan. 1, 2012.

Dingus, 65, has headed the LEDC since 2004. For 25 years Dingus was dean of Ohio University Southern, instrumental in growing the campus from two floors at Ironton High School to a multi-building site.

“(Qualifications are) my knowledge of economic development and my commitment,” he said. “I have a work ethic that is pretty solid. I always had an open ear to listen and an open door. I am very much interested in trying to enhance the quality of life for all, when you are born poor and people treat you well and you succeed in life. The individual alone could have never had total success. Success comes from a group.”

If elected, Dingus said he has three issues he would focus on.

“Definitely economic development and job growth,” he said. “I want to continue to see growth and development in education and support local government. Too often when you have national and state financial deficits, those often get balanced on the backs of local governments. I would do what I can to protect our local government.”

After the first of the year the House Republican leadership will pick a successor to Carey, who will finish out the Wellston native’s term, which goes through December 2012. The November 2012 election will determine who takes the seat through 2015.

On Wednesday Jackson County Commissioner Jim Riepenhoff, 64, filed for the post. Riepenhoff said economic development would be on the top of his agenda if elected.

Candidates for the 2012 primary have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to file their petitions with the county board of elections. The lines for Carey’s district were recently redrawn and now take in all of Lawrence County, except for Ironton, Hamilton Township and Coal Grove, all of Gallia and Jackson counties and part of Vinton County. With the redistricting, the name was changed to the 93rd District. Since Lawrence County has the most registered voters, all candidates must file their petitions here.

All candidates must have 50 valid signatures of registered voters to get on the ballot. They can submit petitions with a maximum of 150 names.

Dingus submitted 98 signatures and Riepenhoff turned in petitions with 69 names.