MOUNT VERNON — Eight Republican candidates are seeking the endorsement of the Republican citizens of the 18th District to take on Democratic incumbent Zack Space in the November election.
Beau Bromberg of Newark is looking to take the values of the residents of the 18th District to Washington to help create jobs and keep state’s rights where they belong.
“This is my home, my family, my friends,” Bromberg said. “It is clear that Congress does not have the values that we have here at home. I will take our values to Washington, D.C., and help America.”
Because there are so many candidates on the ballot, Bromberg believes it is important for voters to realize he is in favor of state sovereignty.
“I believe in the Constitution,” Bromberg said. “All the other candidates support the Republican leadership using federal government to trample on our state’s rights. Ohio controls who sells insurance in Ohio. Where in the Constitution does it give the government the right to control state choices,” Bromberg said.
Referring to a voter guide on Ohio18.com, Bromberg pointed out he is the only candidate who is against having the opportunity to purchase health care insurance across state lines.
“I am the only candidate that voted with the Constitution while all the other candidates voted to save a buck.”
To bring jobs into the district, Bromberg said the removal of federal regulations on energy and the reduction of business taxes would allow businesses to create jobs without further government interference.
Knox County native Fred Dailey believes he is the most qualified candidate to run against Space as he is the only candidate with combat, foreign policy, cabinet level executive and national security experience.
To find a solution to what he believes is the district’s biggest problem, the lack of jobs, Dailey said tax breaks and credits, along with specific marketing plans could create a turnaround in the area’s economic health.
“Real tax and regulatory reform would provide the greatest incentives for the private sector to create jobs,” Dailey said. “Congress needs to make the earlier tax cuts permanent, provide investment tax credits, abolish the death tax, reduce or eliminate capital gains tax, repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax, and begin shifting the tax burden from production to consumption. … We also need to trash the programs that place our industries at a competitive disadvantage such as Cap and Trade.”
Dailey served as the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for 16 years. He ran unsuccessfully against Space in the 2008 election.
Dave Daubenmire threw his hat into the political arena because he is concerned with the direction the country is heading.
“In an era when legislation is being made by career politicians and attorneys, I believe it is important for us to return government to, by, and for the people by electing true citizen-leadership,” Daubenmire said. “I am neither a politician or an attorney but have spent the last 10 years of my life fighting for conservative values all across the nation.”
While lacking political experience, Daubenmire is confident he can use his experience in team building and his master’s degree in education to guide him in Congress.
“My history is one of building teams and I look forward to the opportunity to put a team together in Washington that will counter the Socialist government currently in power in this country,” Daubenmire said.
Current State Sen. Bob Gibbs is ready to move his conservative-style of leadership from Columbus to Washington, D.C., and feels his strong track record in Ohio will create a better government for the citizens of Ohio as well as the nation.
“I believe that we need to return to out conservative values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, strong defense, lower taxes, free enterprise system and common sense solutions to our current challenges,” Gibbs said.
To help the district create more jobs, Gibbs said he would like to see an end to out-of-control deficit spending that causes businesses to tighten their purse strings and shy away from capital improvements which would create new jobs.
“To give them confidence to invest we need to get federal deficit spending under control, cut taxes and reign in government bureaucracy and cut red tape,” Gibbs said.
His combination of legislative experience as well as his years of business leadership in the private section are strengths Gibbs believes will help him serve the citizens of the 18th District.
Candidate Ron Hood is a man of few words but a man who feels his actions speak louder than campaign rhetoric.
“I am qualified for this position as I served four terms in the Ohio General Assembly as a state representative. This experience will be important as I work for the citizens of the 18th Congressional District,” Hood said.
To help heal the economic health of the district, Hood feels the district needs to become more competitive to thrive. To achieve this, Hood hopes to eradicate “excess taxation and regulations coming from Washington, killing jobs and stifling economic development.”
If elected, Hood plans to push for a national “right-to-work” law which he said has already proven successful by states which have such legislation on the books.
Hombre Liggett adds a new layer to the many dimensions found in the candidates for the 18th District, much like Daubenmire, Liggett has no previous background in law or politics, traits he feels will serve him well if elected.
“I am not a career politician and do not intend to become one. I will not change my stance and my opinions based on the ‘next election’ or my own reputation,” Liggett said. “I am not a lawyer. I will not add to the legal mindset on Capital Hill that causes every new piece of legislation to be incomprehensible and full of loopholes.”
To help create more jobs, Liggett believes the federal government needs to step back and allow the free market system to work as it was designed.
“... it is the government’s responsibility to protect the integrity of the free market system so that businesses, entrepreneurs and corporations can do the job creating. To accomplish this, we have to get the federal government out of the way of those who have the real ability to produce jobs and strengthen our economy.”
Calls and e-mails sent to Jeanette Moll, the seventh candidate in the race, were unreturned.
Eighth candidate, Michael D. Royer, was added late to the race and his information was not obtained by deadline.
