TIFFIN, Ohio — Eric Watson, a Republican challenger running against incumbent State Rep. Gary Click in Ohio’s 88th House District, announced that his campaign has received the endorsement of Marcell Strbich, a candidate in the 2026 Republican primary for Ohio Secretary of State.

Strbich formally endorsed Watson during a Jan. 21 meet-and-greet fundraiser held in Clyde. Addressing attendees, Strbich told Watson, “You are the right man to lead District 88.”

Watson, of Tiffin, is challenging Click, a three-term Republican from Vickery, in a contested GOP primary scheduled for 2026. The district includes Seneca and Sandusky counties.

Watson’s campaign materials position him as a more hard-line conservative alternative to Click. Flyers circulated online and at local events frame the race as a “Battle for Truth & Freedom” and prominently reference Ephesians 6:11. His stated platform includes opposition to what he describes as “unchecked data centers” on farmland, rejection of digital IDs, ending property taxes, defending conservative Christian values, and “removing toxins from food.” The materials also list a Truth Social account and identify his handle as @Watson4StateRep.

Watson’s campaign Facebook page describes him as a former Republican Party committee member and notes his attendance at a 2020 congressional “Election Integrity” hearing. Seneca County Board of Elections records show he has voted only once in the district in recent years—during the 2024 general election—and Facebook records indicate he previously lived in Arizona.

The primary challenge drew early attention from far-right activist circles. Former U.S. Senate candidate Mark Pukita commented on Facebook that he understood Click “really has his panties in a wad because he’s got a primary challenger, Eric Watson.” Click replied directly to the comment, writing, “You’re funny, Markie. Not concerned at all.”

Click was first elected to the Ohio House in 2020. A Baptist preacher and former community theater actor, he has made transgender issues a central focus of his legislative agenda. He is the sponsor of House Bill 68, known as the “SAFE Act,” which bans gender-affirming medical care for minors and restricts transgender participation in women’s sports. Click currently chairs the House Community Revitalization Committee and also serves on the Education, Children & Human Services, and Ways & Means committees.

Strbich, a retired Air Force officer and conservative activist, is running for Ohio Secretary of State in a Republican primary that includes State Treasurer Robert Sprague. Strbich’s campaign has publicly claimed internal polling showing him leading the race, though no independent polling has been released.

The race for Ohio’s 88th House District is not limited to Republican infighting. On the Democratic side, Tiffin City Councilman Aaron Jones has also entered the contest and is expected to face the eventual GOP nominee in the November 2026 general election.

Jones, a first-term council member, U.S. Army veteran, and longtime manufacturing supervisor, launched his campaign earlier this month with a message centered on working-class economics, public schools, and local infrastructure. He is not expected to face a Democratic primary opponent, setting up a general election matchup between Jones and the winner of the Republican primary.

The 2026 primary election will be held on May 5. Early in-person voting begins April 7 and includes the Saturday and the Sunday before Election Day.