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Moadus files bid to unseat Rep. Ryan
Three candidates have filed to run in the 6th District.
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Dan Moadus
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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-17)
WARREN — Ex-Girard Councilman Dan Moadus said he’s running for Congress as a Democrat against U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan to save the political party from itself.
“I’m running against the leadership of the Democratic Party,” Moadus said Thursday after filing nominating petitions as a Democrat in the 17th Congressional District’s May primary. “The leadership of the Democratic Party has dragged itself [away] from the mainstream Democratic views. Someone has to go [to Washington, D.C.] and bring them back to the center.”
Moadus is the first Democrat to challenge Ryan, of Niles, D-17th, since the congressman was elected in 2002.
Feb. 18 is the filing deadline for candidates who want to run in the May primary.
Moadus said he needs only $50,000 in campaign funds to beat Ryan. That money would be enough for 6,000 yard signs and two mailings to those in the 17th District, he said.
“I don’t need very much money to beat Tim Ryan,” Moadus said. “He has a lot of money and little to say. I have a little money and a lot to say.”
Ryan had $254,009 in his campaign fund as of Dec. 31.
Hanna Kassis, Ryan’s campaign director, declined to comment Thursday on Moadus’ candidacy and statements.
Moadus won four races for Girard City Council’s 4th Ward seat, but he’s also lost 11 other Girard elections, including those for at-large council last year and mayor two years ago.
“The races are so different,” Moadus said. “There’s a giant anti-incumbent movement. The times are different. People are out of their comfort zones, and they’re looking to throw out incumbents, so [Ryan’s] in trouble.”
Also filing for the 17th District is M.E. “Bing” Henderson of Tallmadge, who is running for the Republican nomination.
The 17th District includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat from St. Clairsville, is seeking re-election this year to the 6th Congressional District seat.
Three candidates already have filed nominating petitions to challenge Wilson, and a fourth was to file today.
To date, no Democrat has filed to run against Wilson.
Donald K. Allen, a veterinarian from Boardman, has filed to run as a Republican in the 6th District.
Sam Hepfner of Salem, who owns a roofing company, said he’ll file as a Republican candidate today.
Others who have filed are: Corey McCusker of Poland as a Libertarian candidate, and Richard E. Cadle of North Jackson as a candidate from the Constitution Party.
The 12-county district includes all of Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County.
Also, there’s a race for a seat on the Warren-based 11th District Court of Appeals.
Judge Colleen O’Toole of Lake County, the incumbent, will face Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Eugene A. Lucci in the Republican primary.
Neil Wilson, a Lake County attorney, has filed to run as a Democrat. Thomas R. Wright, a Brookfield attorney, acting judge for the Trumbull County Eastern District Court and a former 11th District law clerk, said he’ll file nominating petitions Monday to run as a Democrat for the seat.
The district includes Trumbull, Ashtabula, Portage, Geauga and Lake counties.
skolnick@vindy.com