Libertarian candidates for Congress vie in primary

SANDUSKY — Residents of Erie County who lean Libertarian will have a rare opportunity to vote in a Libertarian primary. Libertarians are a recognized political party in Ohio, along with Democrats and Republicans, and the party has two candidates running to become the Libertarian candidate in the 9th District U.S. House race: David Gedert and Matt Althaus. The winner of that primary will oppose the Democratic candidate, incumbent U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and whoever is the winner of the Republican primary, which features five candidates: Madison Sheahan, Anthony Bruce Campbell, Derek Merrin, state Rep. Josh Williams and Alea Nadeem. Voters who want to participate in the Libertarian primary should simply ask for a Libertarian ballot. While Erie County currently does not have any registered Libertarians, that's apparently because Libertarians have not had any primaries to vote in. When a voter requests a Libertarian ballot for the May primary, in order to vote in the Althaus vs. Gedert primary, that person will become a registered Libertarian. During the 2024 presidential election, 205 people in Erie County voted for the Libertarian candidate for president, Chase Oliver. Context on the candidates Gedert, 42, a Toledo resident, is also known as the drag queen performer Sugar Vermonte, which features the candidate wearing a Dolly Parton wig and sequins. Gedert makes his main living with his macaroni and cheese food truck, Maybe Cheese Born With It. It was a runner-up for season 15 of the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." On the issues, Gedert said his biggest problem as a small businessman is dealing with government regulations, and he said other small business owners tell him the same thing. Gedert said that while he agrees illegal immigration is a problem, he believes ICE has "run amok." Tariffs can be a useful tool, "But they've been wielded with too much chaos and lack of transparency," he said. More information about Gedert is available at his campaign site, Sugarforohio.com. The other candidate, Althaus, 39, was born and raised in greater Toledo. He told the Register he has a family with "an immigrant wife and 3 children" and works at NSG Group in Rossford. "The reason I am running is because, as a working-class, blue-collar resident in the area, I understand the day-to-day struggles of my community and neighbors and will work tirelessly to be the neighbor, leader, and representative they can be proud of," Althaus said. On immigration, Althaus said, "I believe everyone has the right to seek opportunities that benefit them." Althaus' positions on other issues are outlined at his campaign website, mattalthausforcongress.com. For example, under the heading "Stop Endless Wars," Althaus writes that the U.S. should "avoid unnecessary foreign conflicts." Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment and ban stock trading by members of Congress, he said.