Warren Davidson may face an unusual challenger in the Republican primary this March

A former Butler County auditor appears ready to challenge U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, in the Republican primary this March, according to federal campaign finance records.

The Enquirer reached out to the candidate, Kay Rogers via a phone call but did not receive a response prior to publication.

Kay Rogers resigned as auditor in March 2008, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud in the Dynus scandal. The FBI investigated a $4 million loan from Butler County to the Dynus Corp., a now-defunct fiber optics company. Rogers is a convicted felon, but the Constitution allows felons to serve as members of Congress.

Rogers wasn't the only elected official implicated. Former County Commissioner Michael Fox pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

The Butler County Republican Party appointed Roger Reynolds to replace Rogers as auditor in 2008. Reynolds was replaced after a jury found him guilty of unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth-degree felony.

Rogers filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission. The filing deadline in Ohio is Dec. 20 to get on the March 19 primary ballot. Winners of that primary will face off in the Nov. 5 general election.

Davidson represents Ohio's 8th Congressional district, which runs along the Indiana border from Darke County south to the Ohio River, including western Hamilton County. Davidson was first elected in 2016, replacing former House Speaker John Boehner, who resigned. The district is overwhelmingly Republican; Davidson won re-election in 2022 with 65% of the vote.

Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn's work, you can donate to her Report For America position at this website or email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work. 

Do you know something she should know? Send her a note at eglynn@enquirer.com and follow her on Twitter at @ee_glynn.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Butler County auditor will challenge Rep. Warren Davidson