Ohio GOP Candidates Contend for Chance to Unseat Longest Serving Congresswoman

Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving girl in both chamber of Congress, is unopposed within the Ohio ninth Congressional District’s Democrat main.

Candidates on the opposite aspect of the aisle have reworked their main right into a race that symbolizes the rollercoasters of Cedar Level, a storied amusement park within the district alongside Lake Erie’s shore.

Ms. Kaptur, 77, is intently aligned with President Joe Biden. She received her first time period within the U.S. Home in 1982 when President Ronald Reagan was halfway by his first time period.

Craig Riedel, a former Ohio state legislator endorsed by Home Republican Convention Chair and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) earlier than she withdrew her backing over disparaging remarks he made about former President Donald Trump, is one candidate.

State Rep. Derek Merrin, a late entry within the race who’s endorsed by Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-La.), can also be working, as is Steve Lankenau, a former mayor of Napoleon, Ohio.

All three candidates had trailed J.R. Majewski within the polls till the Air Drive veteran dropped out of the race earlier this month after uttering an inflammatory remark about Particular Olympics contributors.

Mr. Majewski ran for a similar workplace in 2022 and received the GOP main. He was main Ms. Kaptur in some common election polls till the Related Press printed a narrative claiming that he was not truthful about his navy service.

For a decade resulting in the 2022 election, the ninth District coated 140 miles of Lake Erie’s shoreline, together with the Democrat strongholds of Toledo in northwest Ohio, and Cleveland within the state’s northeast nook.

Ms. Kaptur breezed to election victories, constantly securing greater than 60 p.c of the vote.

After redistricting earlier than the 2022 election, the ninth District contains Ohio’s rural northwestern nook. Voters there are extra conservative, whereas Cleveland is now not within the district.

Republicans had been hopeful that Mr. Majewski would unseat Ms. Kaptur in November 2022.

An ardent supporter of President Trump, Mr. Majewski attended the Jan. 6, 2021 rally on the U.S. Capitol.

He constructed a profession managing nuclear energy crops and gained nationwide media consideration when he painted a Trump 2020 signal within the yard of his Port Clinton residence close to the Lake Erie shoreline.

Within the 2022 Ohio ninth District Republican main, Mr. Majewski defeated three candidates, together with Mr. Riedel.

He obtained an endorsement from President Trump, as momentum for his marketing campaign stored rising till September of that 12 months when the Related Press reported he misrepresented his Air Drive service, together with his declare of being a fight veteran who served a tour in Afghanistan beneath “robust” circumstances.

Mr. Majewski vehemently denied the allegations, however the Nationwide Republican Marketing campaign Committee canceled TV adverts it had reserved to help his marketing campaign, and Ms. Kaptur’s marketing campaign was outspoken in regards to the report.

He misplaced to Ms. Kaptur within the common election by 13 share factors.

Final 12 months, Mr. Majewski introduced he would run for the seat once more within the 2024 Republican main however dropped out weeks later, citing his mom’s well being.

President Trump ‘Smug’

Many conservative Republicans, together with Ohio U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, determined to help Mr. Riedel.

The race took a steep flip final December when audio surfaced of Mr. Riedel calling President Trump “smug” and vowing to not endorse him.

Turning Level USA founder and government director Charlie Kirk obtained the audio and posted it on X, previously Twitter.

Within the recorded dialog he had with conservative donor Alan Jacoby, Mr. Riedel stated: “Look, Donald Trump, he’s a distinct particular person than me.

“I don’t like the best way he communicates. I feel he’s smug. I don’t like the best way he calls folks names. I simply don’t assume that’s very changing into of a president.”

Mr. Riedel added that he was not serious about an endorsement from the previous president. He stated that “we have to go in a distinct path” and expressed sympathy for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who obtained frequent criticism from President Trump.

After the audio was circulated throughout social media, Mr. Riedel launched an announcement backing President Trump and blamed the audio on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and a “social media trickster.”

“It’s quite simple. I endorse Donald Trump for president,” Mr. Riedel wrote in his assertion, praising the previous president for securing the southern border, preventing inflation, and “taking over out overseas adversaries like China” amongst different compliments.

“Matt Gaetz and a social media trickster pulled a stunt yesterday to try to persuade President Trump to get entangled in my congressional main for confirmed loser J.R. Majewski.

“Yesterday, a so-called donor referred to as me, making quite a few anti-Trump statements. I used to be clear then, and let me clear now: I’m targeted on profitable this main by defeating confirmed loser J.R. Majewski after which defeating Marcy Kaptur within the common election,” Mr. Riedel added.

Ms. Stefanik rescinded her endorsement of Mr. Riedel after the remarks went public. She joined Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) in backing Mr. Majewski.

Mr. Gaetz, Gen. Michael Lynn, and Ohio entrepreneur and 2024 Republican presidential main candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had been different conservatives who introduced their help for Mr. Majewski, who led in a number of polls.

Majewski Stirs Extra Hassle

The GOP main veered round one other curve final month when Mr. Majewski appeared on a podcast and stated: “Regardless of how onerous you strive, arguing on the web is like being within the Particular Olympics. Regardless of how good you carry out, you’re nonetheless [expletive] retarded on the finish of the day.”

The feedback had been chastised by statewide and nationwide Democrats and drew calls from Republicans for him to withdraw from the race.

Initially, Mr. Majewski apologized and stated he would stay a candidate.

“Immediately I had the humbling alternative to be taught and develop by my errors and attempt to change into higher,” Mr. Majewski wrote on X.

“I want to thank the compassionate athletes, volunteers, and employees at Particular Olympics of Ohio for inviting my spouse and I to their Winter Video games.

“The Particular Olympics packages supply management abilities, well being consciousness, and social development that transcends past their athletes.

“I shall be endlessly grateful for this expertise, the facility of data, and the reward of forgiveness,” he continued.

The Lucas County Republican Social gathering, which endorsed Mr. Merrin in January, censured Mr. Majewski. Lucas County is anchored by county seat, Toledo, the biggest metropolis within the ninth Congressional District.

Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Home GOP marketing campaign chief Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) notified President Trump and his marketing campaign crew of Mr. Majewski’s feedback on the Presidents’ Day summit at Mar-a-Lago, based on Politico.

Citing worry that he would spoil the get together’s probabilities to unseat Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hudson requested President Trump to neutralize Mr. Majewski, Politico reported.

Across the similar time, Ohio Fact PAC launched TV adverts accusing Majewski of “stolen valor” referencing the 2022 report that he misrepresented his navy service.

On March 6, the Lucas County Board of Elections stated Mr. Majewski submitted his withdrawal letter. This adopted his announcement the earlier weekend that he was suspending his marketing campaign.

In a March 2 submit on X, Mr. Majewski wrote: “Whereas I do know I’d win, and have a fantastic shot within the common election now that my report was cleared, it’s inevitable that the Deep State will do no matter it takes to combat towards me.

“Even going so far as attacking my household and as soon as once more accusing me of stolen valor.”

He stated he would dedicate his vitality to “the one man I do know will crush the deep state. That man is President Donald J. Trump.”

Mr. Majewski additionally stated that President Trump “didn’t ask me to get out of this race.”

A Lucas County Board of Elections spokesperson stated that Mr. Majewski will nonetheless seem on the poll however votes for him won’t be counted.

Nationwide Republicans Hopeful

Mike Marinella, a spokesman for the Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee, lauded Mr. Majewski for stepping down.

“J.R. Majewski’s choice places the crew first, permitting Republicans to unite and deal with defeating Marcy Kaptur. Now, Marcy Kaptur’s retirement discover is within the mail,” he stated in an announcement.

Mr. Lankenau, 61, has a Grasp’s diploma from Harvard’s Kennedy College of Authorities and served as mayor of Napoleon, a small city within the district.

He doesn’t have the title recognition, monetary backing, and high-profile endorsements of Mr. Riedel and Mr. Merrin, however he believes he appeals to Republicans and independents.

“The opposite candidates convey drama and chaos. I can solely communicate for myself. I merely supply honesty, integrity, and respect for all folks,” Mr. Lankenau informed the Related Press.

Nationwide and Ohio Republicans view Mr. Riedel and Mr. Merrin as candidates who’re extra electable than Mr. Majewski within the common election.

Since Mr. Majewski had help from many distinguished conservatives and withdrew from the race within the last weeks, pundits are unsure which remaining candidate will emerge.

Mr. Majewski’s presence on the poll might draw votes away from the opposite candidates.

Mr. Merrin entered the race final December simply earlier than the submitting deadline. Together with help from Speaker Johnson, Mr. Merrin has monetary backing from the Congressional Management Fund.

A term-limited state consultant who entered politics when he was elected mayor of Waterville when he was 21, Mr. Merrin gained statewide consideration final 12 months when he led an intra-party revolt after dropping the state Home Speaker race to Rep. Jason Stephens.

The Ohio Republican Caucus named Mr. Merrin Home Speaker, however weeks later Mr. Stephens prevailed within the official vote, gaining extra help from Democrats than his personal get together.

All 32 Home Democrats voted for Mr. Stephens in a transfer Home Minority Chief Allison Russo stated was made to encourage unity.

After submitting to hunt the Ohio ninth Congressional District Republican nomination, Mr. Merrin stated in an announcement: “I’ve by no means been afraid to face down slings and arrows from the Left or problem my very own get together.”

“I can’t sit again and hand away this seat to Marcy Kaptur, jeopardizing the way forward for our nation.

“I stay up for crisscrossing the district over the approaching months as we push ahead to convey Marcy Kaptur again residence and restore robust, conservative management to Washington,” he added.

Mr. Riedel touts his enterprise background and former political expertise as explanation why he’s the candidate greatest suited to oppose Ms. Kaptur.

After incomes a civil engineering diploma from Ohio State College, Mr. Riedel labored for a metal firm for 27 years.

“My background is all non-public enterprise. Most not too long ago I used to be a state consultant in northwest Ohio the place I served the 82nd Home District for 3 phrases for six years,” he informed a Toledo TV station.

“Nobody can match my background on this race. Not one of the different candidates can declare that they’ve labored within the non-public sector for the mixture of 27 years, having been a conservative fighter within the Ohio Basic Meeting for six years,” he added.