Two Ohio Republican candidates have announced their candidacy to run for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in 2024. U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) is currently in that seat and is serving her 21st term in Congress.
Former Republican Mayor of Walbridge Dan Wilczynski was the first contender to enter the running last week, announcing his candidacy to finally defeat America’s longest-tenured congresswoman.
“We look forward to meeting voters across District 9 in the coming weeks and months. Our number one priority is to unite Republicans to finally defeat Marcy Kaptur,” Wilczynski said.
Wilczynski earned his mechanical engineering degree and later an MBA from the University of Toledo. He worked with the Toledo energy company at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, started his own consulting company, served as an audit director with BP, and worked for Marathon Petroleum. He served as Mayor of Walbridge for 10 years after serving on Village Council for three years prior.
According to Wilczynski, Ohio’s 9th Congressional District has declined in the decades that Kaptur has been in office.
“Hard-working people are suffering with loss of industry and rising inflation. Without a dramatic change in course, this will continue to hurt our community: senior citizens, education, businesses and jobs. Ohioans deserve a representative who has a profound connection and commitment to the communities in our district, and the ability to win. The future is in jeopardy for us, our children, and our children’s children,” Wilczynski said.
Wilczynski said that he is ready to continue fighting tirelessly for the issues that matter to District 9.
“We’re facing an important moment in Ohio and Washington. I have the professional experience that is needed in the district and in Washington right now. I am ready to dig deep and continue fighting for the issues that matter to OH-09 and to the country. I’m committed to working tirelessly to create new opportunities for growth and prosperity throughout our entire district,” Wilcynski said.
On Monday, Craig Riedel, who is a former Republican state representative from Defiance, announced his candidacy for District 9, saying Northwest Ohio needs a change in leadership.
“From a blue-collar background, I understand the challenges hard working Americans face,” Ridel said in a social media post. “Let’s bring new leadership and a brighter future to northwest Ohio,” Riedel said.
Riedel earned a civil engineering degree from the Ohio State University. He worked for over 27 years a Nucor Vulcraft Group. Riedel served three terms as state representative, representing Defiance, Paulding, and Van Wert counties and part of Auglaize County.
According to Riedel, he is committed to advocating for policies that support economic growth, protect individual rights and liberties, and promote limited government.
His campaign website says he would work to safeguard neighborhoods, maintain the safety of families, and generate more well-paying jobs. He is a pro-life Republican with Judeo-Christian values, a supporter of the Second Amendment, and someone whose expertise in the private sector will help him when it comes to boosting the economy.
Reports state that Kaptur has already filed the paperwork necessary for candidacy in the November 2024 race for Congressional District 9.
– – –
Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Dan Wilczynski” by Dan Wilczynski. Photo “Marcy Kaptur” by Representative Marcy Kaptur. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by bellaluna222.
