GOP lawmaker announces run for Congress

SANDUSKY — A Republican state representative announced Monday he is running for the Ninth U.S. House seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. State Rep. Craig Riedel, R-Defiance, joins a field of at least four candidates seeking the Republican nomination that already included another state lawmaker, state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Huron. The other two Republican candidates are Madison Gesiotto Gilbert and J.R. Majewski. "After a great deal of thought, prayer, and support from family and friends, I have decided to seek the Republican nomination for Congress in Ohio's 9th district." Riedel said in his announcement. "I am sick of career politicians making promises, failing to deliver, then passing the buck. Marcy Kaptur does not share the values of the voters in Northwest Ohio and it is past time for her 53-year political career to end," he said. Riedel, a retired engineer, represents the 82nd District in the Ohio House, consisting of Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert counties and part of Auglaize County. Riedel grew up on a family farm near Attica, Ohio, and graduated from Seneca East High School before going to The Ohio State University for his civil engineering degree. He and his wife of 33 years have two adult children and two granddaughters. Riedel first won election to the Ohio House in 2016 when he defeated the Republican incumbent, Tony Burkley. The new version of the Ninth District, redrawn by Republican lawmakers in the Ohio General Assembly after the 2020 census, includes Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams and Wood counties. The new district must survive a court challenge to go into effect. Kaptur is seeking re-election. Kaptur's current district tilts heavily Democratic — she won about 63% of the vote in the 2020 general election — but the new district is considered a tossup, or even tilting slightly Republican. Riedel, through a spokesman, declined an interview but said in his announcement that when he is elected, he plans to join the Freedom Caucus in the U.S House, a group that also includes U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana. "He will be a leading voice to protect life, defend the Second Amendment, secure the southern border and ensure election integrity," his announcement states. Riedel's press releases show that he supports allowing Ohioans to carry concealed handguns without a government permit, opposes vaccine mandates and favors giving local residents a say on whether wind and solar projects will be built in their neighborhoods.