Candidate spurns major parties

He wasn't expected to be a major factor in the 2010 campaign for a congressional seat, but David B. Ryon still could play spoiler.

Ryon announced in August that he would challenge former state Sen. Steve Stivers for the Republican nomination for the central Ohio congressional seat now held by Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy.

Ryon's pitch was that he opposes abortion, whereas Stivers favors abortion rights. Stivers faced a similar primary challenge in 2008 and prevailed, but narrowly lost to Kilroy in the general election.

Ryon announced today that he'll no longer seek the Republican nomination, but instead will run as a Constitution Party candidate. The party also opposes abortion.

"The lines between the two major parties have become blurred to the point they represent the left and right wings of the same party," Ryon said in announcing his shift.

http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2009/10/candidate_spurns_major_parties.shtml