HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Seth Morgan’s path to power was a rough one. He survived more than the just the traditional challenges of a legislative race for election. He also survived a car wreck on an icy patch of Interstate 70 on the second day of the session.

Morgan managed to return to work in just a few days.

He made his mark in 2002 as the youngest City Council member to ever hold office in Huber Heights, at age 23.

Morgan ran unsuccessfully for Montgomery County Auditor in 2006. Then, when the 36th District House seat opened, he made his move.

In an interview with WHIOTV.COM, Morgan said he plans to put his financial background as a Certified Public Accountant to work at the Statehouse.

He and other lawmakers expect much of the work in 2009 will focus on the state’s tight budget.

Morgan said the Dayton area delegation has already met once to discuss the budget work ahead.

“I think what we’re positioning ourselves is to do is present a very solid and unified front across party lines about what the Dayton region needs and priorities are,” Morgan said.

As a Republican, Morgan will be in the minority party. Still, he hopes to play a role in solving the state’s financial problems.

“The larger fight will over how we solve this $7 billion deficit that we are facing,” Morgan said.

Morgan said while many agencies are facing additional budget cuts, he hopes to avoid major cutbacks that damage services to the Miami Valley, since Montgomery County is already one of the hardest hit counties in the economic downturn.

Each legislative session begins with its own “honeymoon period” with lawmakers often talking about bipartisan cooperation. Morgan said it can work to the Dayton region’s benefit.

“I believe it is going to remain alive when it comes to the priorities of this region. All of us are in the same boat,” Morgan said.

Still, he realizes there are many tough questions yet to be answered.

“What are you going to do with Medicaid policy? What are you going to do with education policy? And how aggressive are we on all of the fat sitting in the state budget?” Morgan said.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com