Winning reelection in 1968 and 1970, Bechtold had aspirations to succeed Charles Kurfess at the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.

[1] In 1972, redistricting weakened Bechtold's chances for reelection, and he was challenged for the nomination by Helen Fix.

While it looked initially like Bechtold had secured the nomination, a recount declared Fix the winner by one vote.

Following his time in the House, he returned to Cincinnati and private practice.

This article about a member of the Ohio House of Representatives is a stub.