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A strong showing from local unions turned out Thursday when Democrat Lou Gentile officially announced his candidacy for the Ohio House in 2010.

Gentile made his announcement at the United Steelworkers of America Local 1238 hall in Martins Ferry.

Most recently the assistant director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, Gentile credited the late Donald Myers of Martins Ferry - a former director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Alliance and development director for Belmont County - for teaching him the that economic development isn't just about attracting business and getting grants to build infrastructure in communities.

"He taught me the true meaning of economic development is asking, 'How can we impact and improve the lives around us?'" Gentile said.

Myers' wife Linda and daughter Kelly were among those in attendance.

Gentile, 30, of Steubenville is seeking the 95th Ohio House presently held by Ohio Rep. John Domenick, D-Smithfield.

Domenick will be finishing out his eighth year in the Ohio House in 2010, and term limits prohibit him from seeking re-election.

Domenick wasn't present for Gentile's announcement, but Gentile was joined at the podium by Ohio Sen. Jason Wilson, D-Columbiana, and Ohio Rep. Alan Sayre, D-Dover.

"When he is sworn in - and I'm not saying 'if' - Lou will be a strong advocate for East Ohio," Sayre said.

He noted that is especially important for Democrats to be elected to the Ohio House next year so that Democrats maintain the political majority in the chamber. This is because Ohio House Democrats then would be in place as redistricting lines are drawn prior to the 2012 election.

Despite his young age, Gentile already has had a career of nearly a decade in politics. He has mostly worked for now Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. In 2001, Gentile first went to work as field director for the Ted Strickland for Congress campaign.

Then when Strickland was elected to Congress in 2002, Gentile became his representative to Jefferson, Belmont, Monroe and Noble counties.

After Strickland announced his bid for governor in 2005, Gentile joined him on the campaign trail again as his special assistant.

After Strickland was elected governor, he appointed Gentile assistant director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia - a position in which he helped local communities to expand infrastructure and save and retain jobs.

Gentile resigned that job earlier this month so that he could himself run for office.