By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The fathers of both Republican candidates for U.S. House District 5 had pivotal roles in their sons’ political careers.
For incumbent Bob Latta, his father’s years in Congress helped propel his son to service in the U.S. House.
For newcomer Robert Owsiak Jr., the pivotal moment came while he was watching televised congressional committee hearings on UFOs with his dad.
“‘I can do this,’” Owsiak said to his dad. A week later, his dad asked him if he was serious. “I’ve always complained about politicians. So I decided to do something,” Owsiak said.
Latta, of Bowling Green, said his priorities in office will continue to be the economy and securing the southern border.
“It’s not getting better. It’s getting worse,” Latta said of people crossing over from Mexico.
Owsiak, a paramedic from Sheffield Lake, said his priority is to represent average people in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I know the struggles of everyday people,” Owsiak said, noting that he knows what it’s like to be down to $38 two days before payday. “I’d love to be the voice of younger, average people.”
Latta voiced concerns about the people and drugs flowing into the U.S., citing numbers of more than 300,000 migrants crossing over in December, and several tons of narcotics including fentanyl entering the U.S.
“We’ve got to stop the drugs flowing across,” he said. “We need to hire more border patrol.”
However, Latta was among the Republicans in the U.S. House who didn’t want the House to vote earlier this year on a bipartisan Senate bill that met many of the GOP demands for border action – and was supported by the border patrol.
Latta said it’s President Joe Biden’s responsibility to protect the border. Biden should enact executive orders on border policy rather than “passing the buck” to Congress, Latta said.
While in Congress, Latta has visited the Texas-Mexico border four times to view the problems. However, he has never met the local LaConexion members who have repeatedly visited his Bowling Green office to request time on his calendar to talk about immigration policies which decriminalize migration, and better serves local economies.
Owsiak also has concerns about border security.
“I’m all for immigration. This country is all immigrants. But they need to do it the right way,” he said.
“Being a paramedic, I see the effects of overdoses,” he said.
Both candidates plan on voting for Donald Trump in November, though Owsiak is troubled by the current political extremism.
“We are more divided than ever,” Owsiak said. “I’m more of an independent thinker. I’m not going to blindly follow anyone.”
Latta was in his Washington, D.C., office on Jan. 6 when insurgents invaded the Capitol Building. He watched as rioters broke through barricades and scaled walls.
“Those people weren’t tourists,” said Latta, who voted to certify the election results with Biden winning the presidency.
But Latta supports Trump, despite the former president’s statement about turning the office into a dictatorship.
“I don’t believe it,” Latta said of those type of comments from Trump. “When in doubt, always look to the Constitution. That’s why our founders gave us checks and balances.”
Latta blames Biden for inflation and the sluggish economy – though the U.S. has been recognized as having the best economic recovery after the pandemic. Latta said the U.S. economy took off in 2017 after Trump’s tax law changes favoring the wealthiest in the nation.
He also blames Biden for the skyrocketing national debt – though the debt jumped during Trump’s term.
Owsiak cited some of his breaks from the GOP, saying he supports the right to abortions.
“I’m all for it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the government’s right to say what to do with your bodies.”
Owsiak also supports transgender rights for adults.
“I don’t want the government to have more power than it already has,” he said.
Owsiak shares the pro-gun stance held by many in his party.
“I think the gun problem we have in this country is more of a mental health and crime problem,” he said. “I don’t want to stop law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves.”
Both candidates are supportive of Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion.
“These people are fighting for their lives,” Latta said.
As for Trump’s statement that he would support Putin’s invasion of countries not current on their NATO “dues,” Latta splits with the former president.
“I don’t agree with that,” he said.
Owsiak’s support for Ukraine is more measured.
“I’m sympathetic – they have a tyrant trying to take over.”
But Owsiak would rather see some of the U.S. aid to Ukraine being spent on this nation’s problems like fentanyl, homeless veterans and mental health.
“Most money should be focused on our country. We need to get our house in order first,” Owsiak said.
