FREMONT, OH (TiffinOhio.net News) — Controversial Fremont pastor Gary Click sent out a media release to area newspapers confirming his campaign for State Representative on Friday.

Click is set to officially announce his campaign at an event in Fremont on Thursday, August 15.

It will be an open seat in next year’s election. The 88th district seat is currently held by Rep. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, who is leaving because of term limits and will run for the Ohio Senate next year. The district represents Sandusky and Seneca counties.

1. Click is one of the first local candidates with no private sector experience

Click is a former community theater actor and currently works as a pastor at Fremont Baptist Temple.

“Gary intends to run a passionate race advancing the cause of conservative principles in the 88th House District,” Click said in his announcement.

2. Click currently holds a committee position in the Republican Party

Click currently serves on the Republican State Central Committee, representing the 26th Senate district.

3. Click has been called a “misogynist” and a “sexist”

Click has come under fire over the past few weeks after a video surfaced showing him berating a female GOP candidate for the Ohio Senate, Melissa Ackison, calling her “trash,” a “phony,” and other insults.

4. The Seneca County GOP chairwoman said Click is only running “for his own personal gain”

Back when rumors were flying high about Click’s potential candidacy, Seneca County Republican Party chairwoman Vanessa Treft said in a voicemail that Click is only running for State Representative “for his own personal gain.”

“[Click] is only doing all this bullsh*t for his own personal gain, and I’m f*cking tired of it,” Treft said.

In addition, following statewide media reports just a few weeks ago of Click “getting in the face of” and berating GOP Ohio Senate candidate Melissa Ackison, current State Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) has distanced himself from the pastor.

“Mr. Click was not asked to attend the fair on behalf of our campaign and does not represent the campaign,” the statement from Reineke’s campaign said.

“Gary Click as a pastor, shouldn’t you be trying to diffuse this situation? As a Christian myself, I find this kind of tar and feathering to be very disturbing. Melissa Ackison is a good person. She loves America, is a inspiration to many, including myself,” an area man said to Click on Facebook regarding the video. “I believe she makes some valid points. Perhaps you should search your heart and weigh whether your capable of balancing politics and your faith to Christ at the same time. Politics is a nasty business. Is it effecting your ministry or how you would usually behave? Please give it some thought. I respect both of you. Please find a way to heal this,” the man continued. 5. Click refers to the news media as “jungle journalism” Click gained national attention in 2018 after he riled up defenders of the news media with his prayer before President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Delaware County. “Tonight I pray that you will protect our president, and his family, with a shield of faith. Lord, that shield of faith against the fiery darts of the wicked one. Lord, against that jungle of journalism that distorts truth and distorts honesty and integrity every single day — gets in his face with lies and mistruths and innuendo,” Click said at the rally. Click acknowledged in an interview that he agrees with some of Trump’s attacks on the media, particularly a “specific breed of predatory journalism that is uncivilized and has a preconceived story line before they write” — news organizations such as CNN. “That was not an attack on all journalism. There are genuine journalists out there who do a fine job,” Click said. “I believe in a free press, I just don’t believe in a free pass. Who holds journalists accountable? Every one of of us need to be held accountable … I didn’t pray for God to strike (journalists) down, I did not seek violence.” Click is set to officially announce his candidacy on Thursday, August 15 at 6 PM at the Live Edge Center in Fremont.