By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone came out swinging today as she officially announced her candidacy for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
“For the past four decades, Marcy Kaptur has occupied this seat in Congress, but has delivered nothing except runaway inflation driven by unprecedented government spending,” Gavarone said. “Northwest and Northern Ohio families need a representative who works for them, not for Nancy Pelosi and the radical left. I am running for Congress to deliver real, conservative results for families across the 9th District.”
Gavarone, who has consistently listed Bowling Green as her home address, filed Monday for the congressional race in Erie County, listing a residence in Huron. Bowling Green is not in the 9th District – but Huron is. Gavarone said she has a residence in Huron, and recently changed her place of voting to Erie County.
Gavarone is currently the state senator for Ohio’s 2nd District which includes all or part of Erie, Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties. She will remain safe in her Senate seat until 2024.
“During my time in elected office, we cut income taxes, balanced Ohio’s budget, expanded legal gun rights, protected life, and much more,” Gavarone said. “During her time in elected office, Marcy Kaptur consistently stood with Nancy Pelosi over the interests of her district. Enough is enough.”
“This campaign isn’t about me – it’s about the people of Northwest and Northern Ohio,” she said. “Whether it is trying to shut down Line 5, raising taxes, forcing government mandates down our throats, or increasing inflation, Joe Biden, Marcy Kaptur, Nancy Pelosi and the far-left have hurt our families. We need a fighter to represent our area in Congress, and that is what I am here to do.”
Kaptur, who was first elected to Congress in 1983, is the longest serving woman in Congress. The 9th District currently stretches from Kaptur’s hometown of Toledo to Cleveland. It has been called the “snake on the lake” because of the district’s odd shape created by gerrymandering.
The reconfigured 9th District map signed on Nov. 20 by Gov. Mike DeWine combines Lucas, Ottawa, Erie, Defiance, Henry, Fulton, Sandusky, and Williams counties, along with a portion of northern Wood County.
Gavarone had a role in the approval of the new congressional maps, serving as co-chairman of the Local Government and Elections Committee. She approved the map in committee and again when it came to the Senate floor.
“I had nothing to do with drawing the redistricting lines,” Gavarone said.
Gavarone has consistently used Bowling Green as her home address, but on Monday, she filed for the congressional seat using an address in Huron, which is in the 9th District.
“I was very surprised to see Senator Gavarone file for this district that she doesn’t live in,” said Mike Zickar, head of the Wood County Democratic Party. “I feel like it’s very disingenuous to use a different address for filing than you reside in.”
Zickar criticized the failed redistricting effort in Ohio, citing the new 9th District lines as favoring Republicans.
“Most people see this as a sham,” he said. “Senator Gavarone is making a mockery of it.”
Zickar also questioned Gavarone’s efforts to paint Kaptur, a moderate, as a member of the “radical left.”
“People in Northwest Ohio and people in Wood County know Marcy Kaptur has fought for them. She has always put Northwest Ohio first,” he said.
Kaptur has worked on clean water and infrastructure projects that benefited this region, he said.
“They know Marcy has fought for them,” Zickar said of district constituents. “She has fought for dollars to come back to Northwest Ohio to make a difference in the lives of Northwest Ohioans.”
But Gavarone said Kaptur’s voting record doesn’t reflect moderation.
“She’s voting along with the radical left agenda,” Gavarone said. “We need a change. If you ask people, they are upset about government mandates and spending. They are really upset. People want a change.”
Gavarone began her political career as a Bowling Green City Council member. She was appointed to the state representative seat for Wood County in 2016. She was later appointed to the state senate district held by Randy Gardner when he was named state chancellor of higher education by DeWine.
Gavarone earned her business degree from Bowling Green State University before obtaining a law degree from the University of Toledo. She and her husband, Jim, own Mister Spots restaurant in Bowling Green.
There are now three Republicans voicing interest in the 9th District seat.
In addition to Gavarone, also filing for the congressional seat is Madison Gesiotto Gilbert, the 2014 Miss Ohio USA, a Fox News political commentator, and lawyer from Canton. She also does not live in the district.
Also declaring interest in the seat is J.R. Majewski, a Port Clinton resident and Air Force veteran. Majewski was in the spotlight last year when he turned his yard into a giant “Trump 2020” banner, which earned him praise from the then-president. He has told media that he attended the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve got a track record in Ohio,” Gavarone said. “I listen to constituents and get the job done. I’ll take that same work ethic to Washington.”
Candidates have until Feb. 2, 2022, to declare their candidacy. The 2022 primary election is set for May 3.
