NEW PHILIDELPHIA — Democratic Congressman Zach Space will be running unopposed in the May primary to retain his 18th District seat in Washington, D.C., following certification of signatures by the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections.

The petition of Mark Pitrone, D-Gnadenhutten, was received by the filing date but was not certified.

Republicans with certified petitions are Beau Bromberg of Newark, Fred Dailey of Mount Vernon, Dave Daubenmire of Newark, Bob Gibbs of New Philidelphia, Ron Hood of Ashville, Hombre Liggett of Dover and Jeanette Moll of Zanesville.

Petitions of potential Republican candidates Michael Royer of Malvern and Helen Hasket Wolfe of Lancaster were not certified.

Candidates have been invited to a 2010 Ohio U.S. Congressional District Primary Candidate Night on March 6, at 6 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Nazarene Univerisity’s R.R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium.

Space has declined to attend.

“Congressman Space looks forward to debating the issues that are important to Ohioans with the nominee that the Republican Party chooses in May. While the Republicans continue to have an intra-party squabble and fight amongst themselves, Zack Space is going to continue fighting to renew Ohio, working to bring jobs to our devastated towns and communities in the short term and creating the conditions to make sure our region is economically competitive for the long term,” said Brent Parrish, spokesperson for Zack Space for Congress.